Killing Theory are but the newest factor to the ongoing expansion of today's independent metal machine, as these Southern California gentlemen have found a popular niche in crushing melodic death metal, grind and hardcore into a tightly compacted ball of aural chaos. Having found sanctuary at respected underground label Tribunal Records, this quintet are ready to be recognized on a national level with their vicious debut EP, "Dead, Buried, Forgotten."

For a debut EP, these five men have compiled a staggering slab of sinister metal for listeners to feed from. Though the ensemble are technically proficient and are clearly not afraid of exhibiting their skill, Killing Theory's outright brutality steals the show, as they have the intensity levels cranked to eleven and are merely looking for someone to pulverize. The inclusion of well-placed breakdowns may scream metalcore cliche but Killing Theory have it exacted to a science and it's hard to ignore the impenetrable wall of noise they establish on each and every cut.

Sowing their seeds in soil rich with grindcore and death metal nutrients, Killing Theory are essentially the West Coast equivalent to The Red Chord, or to a lesser extent Premonitions Of War. While such mentions may be damning to a bands identity, drawing comparisons to such formidable New England monsters in the extreme metal scene is never something to scoff at. Their debut EP certainly isn't reinventing the wheel, but these five men are ensuring that listeners will be treated to an aural bloodbath of only the most violent proportions. Even if it isn't exactly mind-blowing in its delivery, the savage approach to extreme metal captured on this debut is a statement many will not soon forget.