Voluntary Mortification: “Mortem Cultus” EP Review

Mortem Cultus is my introduction to Voluntary Mortification, a brutal Catholic death metal five-piece from Lansing, Michigan. The band got their start with their debut release Suffer to Rise in 2022. Fast forward three years and they’re unleashing another round of brutal screams, shredding guitars and deep, thought-provoking lyrics. When I first started listening to them, they reminded me a lot of The Famine. The Famine was fast, aggressive and had a similar style to what we find in Mortem Cultus.

The theme and attitude for this EP are established right away in the intro to the first song, “Death Cult.” The eerie chanting serves as a prelude to the sudden burst of screams. Musically it is just loud and aggressive. The drums are energetic and Giulian (drummer) doesn’t seem to take any breaks. For the vocals, I can’t imagine getting that low and not losing your voice, but Conner (vocalist) does a great job of maintaining the high quality of his low screams. I like the line in the song,

“Hell Shrieks. I Suffer Yet He Restores.”

It is such a great reminder that hell and the enemy are going to do whatever they can do to keep you from fulfilling the will of the Father. As long as we are going back to the Father looking for repentance, He is willing to restore us.

“Plagues” is the next round of ferocity on this record. It begins with a chunky, distorted guitar intro and features Daniel McKay on vocals. This creates a shift in the dynamics of the song, artfully blending spoken word with the raw intensity of screaming. This is a well-placed change of pace as it temporarily forces the EP to slow down but then launches back into the brutality. The theme of this song seems to be on the end of the world, evidenced with lines like,

“Babylon, feel God’s wrath, obliterate all in His path.”

“Death Cult” is centered around living life for the sake of Christ, even when it could cost you everything. “Plagues” discusses the end of the wrath, but both songs feature some ancient Latin at the end of the songs. To me, it shows an appreciation for the ancient texts.

When you have music like this where it’s fast and aggressive, it’s fairly obvious when the tempo slows down. “Harvester” has a slow, methodical start to this song where the drums absolutely set the tone. If you like a good, death metal breakdown that makes you want to headbang, this is that song. Between the breakdowns and the variety of screams, they knew how to piece together this song and make it enjoyable.

The unusual title of the next song makes you instantly curious about its meaning. “Hemophagia” is the title of the next track and it means “the practice by certain animals of feeding on blood.” You’re thinking “How is this a Christian song?” but when you look at the lyrics, it makes sense. The song is referencing communion, but that it is more than just taking a piece of bread and a cup of juice (or wine). It’s about a cleansing, a holy cleansing. The lyrics stand out with their powerful message, urging church members to remember Christ's sacrifice and seek repentance.

“Consume thy divinity. Ingest the eternal covenant.”

I'm captivated not only by the lyrics but also by the powerful guitar solo and double bass featured at the end. The variety in the outro is a nice change in this song.

Mortum Cultus EP features four original songs and a cover. They covered “Entombment of a Machine” by Job For A Cowboy, which is a secular death metal band. It’s an interesting choice for a cover, but I thought they did the original justice. The styles are similar and if you weren’t aware that this was a cover then you would’ve thought this was a Voluntary Mortification original song.

While death metal isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I still appreciate a solid EP packed with full-throttle guitar riffs, blistering double bass and grueling deep guttural vocals. This was a short, 20 minute filled EP jam packed with deep, thought-provoking lyrics and incredible music. This is something that I could put on repeat in the gym. If you’re looking for something to headbang with, this is your EP. I give Mortum Cultus a four out of five stars.

Behold The Beloved: “Harsh Realities” Album Review

It’s always refreshing to hear newer Christian rock bands that channel the classic sounds of Pillar and Disciple. This is Behold the Beloved, a five-piece from Manheim, PA, who has been on a musical journey ever since they first came on the scene in 2013. Starting as a worship band, they transitioned to rock and haven’t turned back, working hard at honing their craft and touring whenever they can. 

Earlier this year, they released their follow-up to the hard hitting album, No Surrender, with Harsh Realities. Continuing their previous work with Josiah Prince and Andrew Stanton of Disciple, they develop and evolve their sound with each project. With shredding guitars, pounding bass, and Sean Green’s talented vocals, their music packs a punch!

Harsh Realities Album Review:

Tracks: 10

Length: 41 minutes

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Label: Independent

Kicking off the album is the hard hitting single, “Dear Martyr.” From the opening note, this single sets the tone both musically and lyrically for the whole album. Lyrically, this album is based on the harsh reality that life as a Christian is not easy. For this song in particular, it’s an anthem for Christians around the world, who are risking their lives for the sake of the Gospel. I love the lyrics,

“Why do they stay? Why don’t they run away? Why do they pray when they’re hunted for their faith?”

Risking their lives may seem senseless, but these brave martyrs are doing it to spread the Gospel to all the nations. Along with the cry for the persecuted, the band brings the energy with the crunchy guitar rhythms, incredible electric guitar solo, and catchy lyrics. Sheldon Stauffer on drums is a highlight of this song, especially in the opening.

The theme of difficult times continues with “Darker the Night.” The song centers on the challenge of persevering in a world that actively rejects the message God is trying to give them.. Between the meaningful lyrics and Jeff Leaman’s technical guitar skillset, this song packs a punch in an effort to encourage believers to share God’s faithfulness and love with others  This song also features a hard-hitting line,

“Another day, another tragedy (God, where are you?)”

This is an incredible line, because a lot of people want to ask the question of how could an all-knowing and all-loving God allow evil things to happen. It is hard for us as humans to understand the complexity of who God is, but God still reigns.

“Untouchable” opens with a distinctive, almost techno sound that once again stretches the musical boundaries of what BTB is capable of. The chorus goes hard, with driving guitar and  a great crowd call & response in live shows. Production values have definitely improved greatly since the first album and it shows throughout this album. It is also good to see the guys showing that they have variety in their tone and feel, not just sticking to a formula.

Prior to this album, the band released two singles in 2024, “Toxic Lullabies” and “Powerplay.” BTB shows that they are not afraid to tackle some tough topics and they come out swinging with “Toxic Lullabies.” This song is a fierce warning against false teachers who spread lies instead of the Gospel. They don’t mince words, comparing them to wolves. Aggressive and upbeat at the same time, “Toxic Lullabies” has a bassline that highlights Tim Kitchen’s ability to throw down. Jason Stauffer and Jeff lay down energetic guitar riffs that compel listeners to move, paired with Sean’s passionate vocals.

“Powerplay” is a rock anthem that uses ice hockey as a metaphor for the importance of taking risks on behalf of the Gospel, because we know we have God on our side. While highly themed songs have the potential to come across cheesy, BTB nails it! Rounding out the concept, the band sold hockey jerseys as merch and shot the music video in an ice rink. It’s a favorite to see live and Jeff always nails the shrieking guitar solo! Don’t let the gray hair fool you, he knows how to shred and absolutely loves doing it.

They get really personal with their next song, “Am I Broken?” pulling from their own experiences and struggles. It shows a genuine and vulnerable side of the band, encouraging and challenging their fans in their faith.

“I’m believing there’s a reason for this bleeding, but it’s breaking me. Open my eyes, I wanna see. What’s going on, what’s going wrong with me? Am I broken?”

They’ve featured some amazing collaborations with artists, like Kevin Young from Disciple on their last album, and now Jon Micah from Kutless. Adding Jon Micah to this song helps give an amazing contrast in lead vocals, as well as dynamics that makes this song stand out. The song ends on a positive note, using a key change to convey hope in the midst of the struggle. 

The next track, “Heartbreak,” immediately showcases the band's diverse talent, opening with a beautiful violin intro.The song gives a passionate plea that conveys a message of love from Creator to creation. This seems to be their ballad on the record, highlighting Sean’s vocal abilities. Recently, this song has made its way onto Christian radio and it is encouraging to see these guys continue to showcase their talents.

The beginning of “Live Again,” has the stylings of a worship song from Elevation or Hillsong, but Jeff’s signature guitar sound differentiates this song from those catalogs. This song also highlights the writing pattern of Jeff and Jason on the guitars, along with their technical mastery of their instruments. “Ready to Die” is a straight-up rock song, with gritty vocals and a little southern flavoring. Andrew Stanton of Disciple steps from producer to guitarist, lending his musical talents to this attitude-filled tune. 

The album wraps up with their rendition of “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. After exploring themes of Christian struggle, hardship, and doubt throughout the album, a powerful closing worship song feels like a fitting resolution The passion through Sean’s voice and the band are featured and convey an attitude of worship and humility. It seemed that they were playing and recording this as if they were playing directly in front of the Heavenly Throne.

Honestly, Harsh Realities is a powerhouse, just the right combination of rock and emotion. The lyrics are catchy, and there are moments where Behold the Beloved shows off some serious expertise. Their sound is just getting better and better! Their high-energy live performances and infectious spirit are exactly what people need, inspiring others to live out their faith and keep bringing people into the kingdom. This is a band that you don’t want to sleep on! They're part of that next generation of Christian rockers who have the musical chops to command respect from absolutely everyone, while rocking out for their faith and staying true to their message. This is a step up from No Surrender and I’m excited for what comes next from them!