Six Feet Under has been a fixture in the death metal world since 1993, built on the foundation of Chris Barnes' unmistakable growl and a relentless output of brutality. Next to Die, their latest offering on Metal Blade Records, arrives with an intriguing lineup on paper — but the results are a mixed bag that will leave long-time fans wanting more.
The Lineup
The addition of Jack Owen is the headline here. A founding member of Cannibal Corpse and a former member of Deicide, Owen brings serious death metal credibility to the fold alongside guitarist Ray Suhy. On paper, this is a formidable combination. Jeff Hughell holds down the low end and Marco Pitruzzella keeps things tight behind the kit. The bones of a punishing record are all here.
The Songs
The album does not lead off well. Opener "Approach Your Grave" and "Destroyed Remains" are immediately problematic — Barnes sounds vocally flat on both tracks, and more importantly, they lack the chorus hooks that made classic Six Feet Under songs stick. There's no memorable moment to grab onto, no payoff that makes you want to hit repeat. For a band known for writing death metal with actual structure and punch, it's a weak way to open a record.
Things improve significantly when "Mister Blood and Guts" and "Mutilated Corpse in the Woods" arrive. These are the two tracks where Next to Die actually sounds like the Six Feet Under fans fell in love with — aggressive, direct, and built around riffs that have real identity. Ray Suhy's guitar solos on both tracks are a genuine highlight, sharp and well-executed. The issue is they seem to have been recorded or mixed differently from the rest of the album, sitting in the mix in a way that feels slightly disconnected from the rest of the band. It's a strange production choice that works in spite of itself.
The production problems don't stop there. The snare drum is mixed noticeably high throughout the record — punchy to the point of being distracting on quieter passages. Worse, Hughell's bass is nearly inaudible for most of the album. When it does surface, it's mostly during song pauses where a couple of flubs are unfortunately easy to catch. For a rhythm section that looked strong on paper, you'd never know it from listening.
The back half of the album — "Wrath and Terror Takes Command," "Skin Coffins," "Mind Hell" — keeps things moving but rarely elevates above serviceable. "Naked and Dismembered," "Grasped from Beyond," and the title track fill out the runtime without making a lasting impression. Closer "Ill Wishes" ends things quietly enough to leave you wishing the whole album had the urgency of its two standout moments.
Bottom Line
Next to Die isn't a bad record — it's a disappointing one. With Owen and Suhy on guitars, the potential was there for something genuinely crushing. Instead, most of the album settles for competent rather than killer. If you're a completist, the two standout tracks are worth your time. If you're new to Six Feet Under, start with the classics first and work your way here.