Mini-Review: Secretion’s New Single ‘Summoned’

One of Christian death metal’s ugliest, grungiest death metal acts has released a new single, “Summoned” – and it couldn’t be better. How did I miss this, especially as a major fan of this band? Better late than never, as they say. 

Following up on the heels of Message of Blood, their 2024 EP that marked a return to the scene after a massive 22-year hiatus, Secretion hammer the metal faithful with what could be their heaviest track to date, entitled “Summoned,” a death metal ode to rising out of sin and darkness and persevering, invoking a basic spiritual ideal – when you fall/sin, repent and get back up, no matter how many times you have to. 

To the music itself, then. Secretion play proper old-school, brutal death metal. No flashy solos, no over-processed guitars, no core, no nonsense. This is for those who dig the low-end brutality of early Cannibal Corpse, when Chris Barnes was top dog when it came to those infamous Cookie Monster vocals. If that’s your thing, welcome home. 

Beginning with an ominous spoken word intro, it descends into a similar kind of slow bludgeoning sound that the aforementioned album is known for. What’s interesting about Secretion’s new single is that it breathes a bit of fresh air into their sound without changing it in a way that would alienate those who are already fans. How? It leaves behind the Obituary vibes somewhat, and hones in on the kind of guttural, raunchy sound one would expect from an album like Cannibal Corpse’s Butchered at Birth. It’s Secretion taken to a new level of heaviness, and this is in no small part thanks to a greatly improved production. Given the band’s sound, a beefier production like I’m hearing on this new track is so very welcome. What’s more is that none of the raw edge is lost with the better production either!

In the end, if you’re like me and have been anxiously waiting to hear some new music from one of Christian death metal’s most cult underground acts, then you’ll be even more stoked for new material after hearing this track.

For Fans Of: Cannibal Corpse (early), Crimson Thorn, Corpse, Fetid, Rottrevore

Check it out HERE.

About Author

Jason McLaren

I’m an Orthodox Christian, have a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies, and have been a metal fan for around a quarter of a century. I’ve never been much of a metal traditionalist, so you won’t normally find me spinning Megadeth albums (as good as they might be). Black, death, goth, grind – that’s my thing. I love to scour the furthest reaches of the underground and bring back the gems I find to show others – bit of a show and tell guy. When I’m not blasting the tunes, I love reading works of a theological/spiritual nature, as well as playing a rousing game of chess.

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