The Tarnished: “Death For Death” EP Review

Looking for a Christian version of Hatebreed, Terror or Pantera? How about checking out one of the newest bands to rise from the south? The Peach State offers their latest addition to the Christian metal scene, The Tarnished. This five piece band from Georgia launched onto the scene in 2022. Death for Death is their second release and wow, it is good!

Death For Death EP Review

Tracks: 5

Length: 19:49

Release Date: April 17, 2026

Label: Independent

Death for Death kicks off with an absolute scorcher. “Flamethrower” is the first song and it is dominating. It reminds me of speed metal, something that I would hear from Pantera. The drums command the tempo and the vocals are deep and gritty. I hear this song and I immediately picture a circle pit opening up. The breakdown builds up into the guitar solo. At first I wasn’t sure if one was coming as the vocals came in, but then you hear the shredding commence. I wish the solo was a little bit longer. By the way, they released a music video for this song and it is HOT, literally.

The momentum stays cranked to the max heading into “Judge.” This song is one of my favorites because it features one of my favorite vocalists, Joe Musten from Advent and Beloved. I like how it opens with the isolated vocals, punctuated by a couple of guitar riffs. The combination of the two vocalists compliments one another nicely. The deep and gritty guitars give the song texture.

“I don’t get to judge you. I don’t get to judge myself. My justice is not just. My opinion is mine. You don’t get to judge me. You don’t get to judge yourself. Your justice is not just.”

A great song about who the true judge in life is and how there will be true justice one day. I loved the excerpts that they pulled from Billy Graham and others about the judgment of God and it helped give emphasis to the theme of the song.

We’re not slowing down as we bolt into “Cursed.” Between every element of this song from the drums to guitars to vocals, this band is firing on all cylinders. I like the touch with the tapping of the cymbals to give it a unique sound from the rest of the drum kit. Then the bass is highlighted in the middle of the song.

“This curse plagues humanity…His death broke the curse.”

What a great song about the curse, meaning sin, that plagues humanity. What absolves us from sin? What frees us from the curse? The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Are you done with absolute shredders? No? Good, because we move forward with “Grieve.” This song features that earth-shattering shredding guitar solo that I was expecting in the first song. It wasn’t just the guitars dropping your jaw, the drums are on fire in this song. This is something that I could hear somebody putting on at their local gym and everyone starts hitting personal records. Christian Nielson from Meadows lends his vocal gifts to the song as well.

We end this short 5-song EP with “Pharos.” The tempo just drives and drives and drives with no chances of slowing down. The breakdown reminds me of what we would hear in For Today. The cymbals are getting beat to death and it adds a great, chaotic sound. It is just a brutal slayer.

“Tired dying treading water, waves crash on me. Gasping for one more breath. But then I see Your light. It’s calling me. It’s not too far.”

Ever feel like you’re just constantly trying to keep your head above water with no hopes of finally getting in the lifeboat? That’s where God comes in. We see His light. We hear His call. Now we’ve been pulled from the constant waves and find security in who He is. The song ends with a cryptic sound that could perhaps be signaling more music.

Death For Death is a short, 5-song, 19 minute EP full of intense and invigorating headbangers. Having Christian and Joe featured on two songs was a great touch, as they bring their own form of brutality to the songs. If you’re looking for a new album to crank up, this is the one. In addition to the “Flamethrower” music video, you’ve got to check out the one for “Pharos.” This is a band to keep on your radar. Make sure that you catch them on the road when you can! If their recordings offer any glimpse into who they are, I can’t imagine how much fun their live show could be.