The state of Massachusetts has been flying the flag of East Coast metal for decades, easily becoming capital. From the days of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, All that Remains, to many rock bands, Massachusetts will always be a staple zone in the realm of heavy metal.

My Missing Half is a band that is a true testament to that and their recent release Ceaseless Decay is a testament of that. Combining elements of thrash metal, melodic death metal and more, they are able to deliver a sound that is 100% uncompromising, enveloping you in a catacomb of relentlessness, darkness and chaos, all while incorporating technical excellence.

In their new album Ceaseless Decay, they open up songs such as Six Feet Away and Make it Quick, which instantly sets a tone for what is in store. Opening up, it grabs you and will not give you much room to breathe. The rhythm section of this band delivers a never-ending stamina that holds the arrangements all together and that momentum is carried into Make it Quick. Make it Quick also has the ability to deliver emotion behind the intensity with more sustained notes in the chorus, which also makes it more atmospheric. That atmosphere further immerses you in with their single, Before the Waves and Rocks Catch Me. The soloing and the riffs that lead you into a realm of pure relentlessness followed by a semi-melodic chorus that further instills emotion. In just three songs, the band wastes no time in demonstrating their style and craft, and also signals that there is plenty of gas left in the tank.

The intensity is upped even further with Postponing Recovery and leading perfectly into In Nightmares. In Nightmares delivers the speed and relentlessness we all know and love from Thrash Metal and Death Metal. Intense soloing is also incorporated behind the screams. In addition, evolution is demonstrated as it gets more melodic as it ends and leads beautifully into 1451Mg. This track is unsettling and atmospheric but at the same time, gives the listener a chance to catch their breath in its realm. It serves as an interlude and a bookmark into the album to carry the darkness over but does so in a different language.

Nail my Coffin Shut is when the melodic intro takes a more epic turn and incases you into a realm of riffs and a nice use of sustained rhythm and also lets some melodic tendencies shine. Double-Counted comes in which delivers the groove and catchiness behind the relentlessness. Just when you think that this album has a formula, this track is able to pull back after two and a half minutes to let a slower part add a little bit of suspense and then kicking you in the face once again. Its these little details My Missing Half incorporates that makes it more interesting and engaging.

The concluding portion of this album is when My Missing Half says anything that is left unsaid. Venting to Dial Tones continues the brutality while having a nice tender melodic outro, which further ads contrast in the vibe. What’s Left from the Wreckage is the perfect way to end this album. They didn’t have to change too much and just shredded more on guitars which shows their technical capabilities one last time. Having the song pull back halfway through for a nice slow use of soloing reinforces suspense and braces you for impact one last time. Ending with all out shredding and full blown screams, the final nail in the coffin is sealed in the relam of My Missing Half.

Death metal is in good hands. Thrash Metal is in good hands. With many new faces grabbing the flag and flying it high, there is nothing to worry about. My Missing Half delivers their own signature brutality, craft and style while incorporating melodic death metal tendencies of At the Gates and The Haunted, while delivering the hybrid of Death metal and thrash metal with bands such as Sepultura. My Missing Half is a band that is here to stay and we look forward to hearing more.

New album Ceaseless Decay out now.