After years, sorry, decades of silence, GURKKHAS have decided to make their presence known once again – not with new material, but with a retrospective of their brutal past.
“A Life of Suffering” is a compilation that brings together the most intense moments from their first two albums – “Engraved in Blood, Flesh and Souls” (2000) and “A Life of Suffering” (2001). Released in 2024 via Great Dane Records, this album gives both new and old fans a chance to revisit the raw aggression and technical precision that define the band.
This is old-school death metal with technical elements, but without the excessive eccentricity that often characterizes French bands. Instead, GURKKHAS constantly “keep one eye” on the American scene, which is evident in the influence of bands like IMMOLATION and SUFFOCATION.
One of the most noticeable aspects is the clear difference in sound between the songs from the first and second albums. “Engraved in Blood, Flesh and Souls” sounds rawer and sharper, whereas the tracks from “A Life of Suffering” are heavier, more brutal, and richer in production. The difference is particularly evident in the vocals. On the second album, the voice carries more character and leaves a stronger impression.
Tracks like “Diabolic Mission,” “The Voice of the Terrible One,” and “Tears of Blood” embody classic death metal brutality with relentless blast beats, massive riffs, and unyielding heaviness. Occasional tempo shifts add a bit of dynamic variation, but overall, this is a direct, ruthless, and aggressive release without unnecessary complexity.
A particularly refreshing moment comes with “Kukri” – a song that stands out with its slower, almost doom-laden atmospheric sections, giving the album some breathing room before it plunges back into another chaos. The closing track, “Chronicles of Chaos,” adds a bit of surprise with a longer spoken word segment at the end of the song which enhances the album’s dark atmosphere.
With this release, GURKKHAS are not attempting to cater to modern trends but rather staying true to their signature sound—raw, technically proficient, yet without unnecessary embellishments. At the same time, they are likely trying to reach new listeners, both younger fans and those who remember them from their early days. The production is clear and well-balanced, which is definitely an improvement compared to many older releases from that era.
“A Life of Suffering” is a collection of uncompromising, frantic death metal that, while not necessarily groundbreaking, delivers a solid dose of raw violence. Perfect for those who appreciate the core values of the genre – speed, aggression, and killer technique.
Check out GURKKHAS – “A Life of Suffering” below:
