North Dakota probably is in the middle of nowhere, at least it is one of the more sparsely inhabited states of the USA. Maybe the best thing to do there is playing in a band. And so some guys from Fargo, the state’s biggest town, started a Death Metal band in 2017 under the moniker MAUL. After several demos, EPs and split releases, accompanied by the not unusual line-up changes, they released their first album “Seraphic Punishment” in 2022. Now, two years later, we have their second full-length “In The Jaws Of Bereavement” here, out on the long running label 20 Buck Spin. And this album is some fine stuff indeed, as the years in the underground were a good time for the stabilisation of MAUL. They had the time to develop and write songs that really are variable and more than enjoyable, being on a par with the best contemporary Death Metal acts. Speaking of contemporary Death Metal, MAUL surely fit in this kind of sub genre of the meanwhile pretty vast definition of the term Death Metal. Breaks, speed changes, grooves and blasts are their weapons of choice, spiced with vocals that cover nearly any aspect our favourite style has to offer. If that sounds good to you, songs like ‘Weaving Cerebral Horrors’, ‘Midwest Death’, ‘Stuck Stomped And Smeared’ or the title track will surely be your kind of Death Metal. Give MAUL a try at www.facebook.com/maulnd. Label contact: www.facebook.com/20buckspin