TILL DEATH METAL DO US PART
Santa Fe’s Street Tombs to celebrate first full-length album with release show
Death metal is very much alive in New Mexico. It’s a genre that has entertained music lovers and concertgoers for generations in the Land of Enchantment, and Street Tombs is dedicated to keeping that trend going.
“Albuquerque and Santa Fe have a great metal community and killer bands as well,” said Ben Brodsky, Street Tombs drummer. “New Mexico in general has a lot of love for death metal.”
The Santa Fe-based outfit consists of Brodsky, bassist Galen Baudhuin, and guitarists David McMaster and Damian Jacoby, who are also both vocalists. The band is set to release their first full-length album, “Reclusive Decay,” Friday, Feb. 17, and the band prides itself on the growth of its sound.
Jacoby said, “This is an incredibly talented group and our collective commitment has kept the band strong.”
Street Tombs released its first EP, “Web of Death,” in 2018 and put out two others in 2020 and 2021, “Schizophrenic Visions” and “Rip The Abyss.” Their previous collection is full of high-octane riffs and speedy licks that seamlessly flow throughout the course of each track.
The group’s sound remains solid, if not even more so, on “Reclusive Decay,” which is being put out by Carbonized Records, a label based in San Jose, California. Brodsky said the album “sounds devastating.”
“We are really happy with the album’s release,” he said. “Our sound has evolved naturally, but it is still consistent enough to fit with our first … releases.”
The songs are crisp and fluid and encapsulate death metal. Tracks such as “Wretched Remains” and “Devour” showcase the band’s mastery of their instruments. The sixsong album is full of power, whether through the music, vocals or themes of each track.
“We talk a lot about humanity and the flaws inherent to it: greed, corruption, misuse of power, natural disasters and many things revolving around death,” Jacoby said. “We offer a lot of freedom for the listener to decide how it resonates for them.”
Death metal is a genre full of complexity. The lyrics are deep and each instrument needs to be played with flawless precision, which Street Tombs fully displays. All the members are trained musicians that have been playing in bands since their early teens, and even before their respective ensembles, they were inspired by the sounds of their predecessors.
“We all bring elements of songs from what inspires us,” Jacoby said. “Rhythm, lyrics, riffs and personality come from the whole band.”
The level of strain on the musicians while recording and performing must be considered, and it takes time to hone the skills required to make quality death metal.
“I’ve really worked on proper technique and diaphragmatic control to protect my voice. It takes a lot of practice,” Jacoby said. “We all practice consistently and maintain endurance.”
Yet, the genre also comes with outsider misconceptions.
“The thing about death metal is that it’s not easy listening, it’s an acquired taste,” Brodsky said. “If it’s not something you like, then you might have some misconceptions or stereotypes. We probably don’t care.”
The genre is complemented by attitude, as well, which is relatable in its own regard if accepted. It can serve as a release for both listener and musician.
“It’s definitely an outlet, even therapeutic,” Brodsky said. “It’s also challenging and fun; it gives us a substrate when we are feeling hopeless, apathetic, angered.”