Scaregod – Nihil
Formed in Krakow in 2022, the Polish death metal band Scaregod released their debut album, Nihil, in the final days of 2025. I only had the chance to listen to it for the first time last week, but I’ve had it on repeat ever since. Finally convinced that it is a work worthy of being introduced to my readers, so here we go:
Scaregod’s debut effort effectively merges the machine-like speed and fluid rhythmic guitar work that has become synonymous with legendary Polish bands like Vader and Decapitated. After establishing a solid backbone, they’ve managed to create their own sound by drawing inspiration from black metal, deathcore, and “post-” prefixed genres, successfully bridging the gap between modern and old-school approach in death metal.
To be honest, while I find the title Soulghterhouse a bit cringe-worthy and over-the-top, as a song, it provides a highly satisfying and energetic opening. The independent bass lines, rapid-fire tremolos, and relentless tempo reflect the trademark characteristics of Polish death metal brilliantly. Deus hic desinit, on the other hand, is a track where the black metal influence becomes audible; though it maintains a direct approach, it is a more dynamic composition and stands out as one of the album’s highlights. From the latter half, Incandescent has already become a favorite of mine with its blistering speed.
Name dropping of the songs aside, one of the most striking aspects of Nihil is undoubtedly the vocals. Klucha is remarkably successful across a variety of techniques—ranging from high-pitched screams to deep growls and even pig squeals—enriching even the moments that feel slightly repetitive. In this sense, the vocals combined with the energetic, high-speed rhythm-work are what defines Nihil to me.
In short, if you are a death metal fan and don’t strictly stick to the old-school path, give Nihil a listen. I am certain that a song or two, some specific riffs, or melodies will inevitably get stuck in your head. Scaregod looks poised to add even more firepower to the already explosive Polish scene; I hope there’s more to come. May their path be clear.
