By Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine –<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lazarus Casket<\/a> delivers a tight, six-track EP that clocks in at just around 20 minutes, and it doesn\u2019t waste a second. Spiritual Warfare<\/a><\/em> hits with a raw blend of melodic death metal and thrash, wrapped in an old-school DIY production aesthetic that might not be polished, but that might be the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mix is a bit inconsistent. Guitars occasionally overpower the vocals, and the drum tones could use a bit more punch in the low end. That said, this ragged edge adds character. It’s a gritty, unfiltered listen, and for fans of heavier Christian metal, it’s a welcome shake-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stylistically, there\u2019s a clear nod to the early days of In Flames, especially in the melodic riff construction. But Lazarus Casket isn’t copying blueprints. There’s a more primal aggression underneath it all, a bestial intensity that makes it feel lived-in and war-torn. Vocally, it swings from death metal growls to piercing shrieks, some of which even carry a raw, <\/strong>Phil Anselmo-esque bark, <\/strong>especially in the more aggressive passages. There\u2019s a gritty, southern-metal rasp beneath the chaos that adds an extra layer of hostility. Flashes of clean singing add dimension, and there’s even a touch of deathcore here and there, especially in breakdown-heavy tracks like “Into Eternity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thematically, Spiritual Warfare<\/em> lives up to its title. The lyrics tackle internal battles, self-deception, and divine redemption. Tracks like “Me vs. Me” dive into that personal-exorcism territory, with lines like “I am the enemy” and “You\u2019re self-deceiving” painting a picture of spiritual conflict from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the production won’t win any awards, it does have heart; this is a grassroots project through and through, and it feels authentic because of it. You can practically hear the blood and sweat in every riff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fans of early metal acts like Tourniquet, Deliverance, and Betrayal might also find something here to enjoy. In the Christian metal scene, where raw melodic death metal with deathcore flavor is still relatively rare, this EP fills a gap and delivers something that feels genuinely new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n