Death Rattle—The Moral Chokehold (2025)

Details

Produced and mixed by Death Rattle. Produced by Kevin Billingslea. Mastered by Jens Bogren. Released on 30 May 2025 on M-Theory Audio.

For fans of: Lamb of God, Gojira, Meshuggah

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Band

• Vocals – Trey Holton
• Guitar – Ryan Vanderwolk
• Bass – Justin Brown
• Drums – Chris Morin

Tracks

1. The light (4:38)
2. Malthusian dependency (4:00)
3. Nietzche, and the Fall (5:08)
4. Immersed in the black (4:19)
5. Veils of consciousness (2:20)
6. Social war machine (4:33)
7. Venom in the crown (3:12)
8. Noctivigant (3:47)
9. March of delusion (3:41)
10. The darkness (5:04)

Review

Death Rattle is a groove metal band from the USA, formed in the New England scene that has given us so many modern heavyweights. The Moral Chokehold (2025) is their third album and their first for M-Theory Audio. It is a record that shows a band ready to step into their next era with confidence, precision and a real sense of purpose.

The moment “The light” (track 1) begins, the album plants its feet firmly. That grinding, deliberate riff works like a slow piston and gives Trey Holton’s vocals plenty of room to breathe. There is a siren-like guitar tone hovering behind the main motif, adding an eerie tension. It is a powerful opening that sets the tone for everything that follows.

“Malthusian dependency” (track 2) is one of the clear highlights. The ominous, heartbeat-like rhythm leads into a trilling guitar line before the verse drops to a minimal, muted pulse. It is tight, technical and groovy in a way that never feels showy. This track has been lodged in my head for days.

The bigger surprise is “Nietzche, and the Fall” (track 3), which opens like a tank coughing into life before exploding into double kick drums that feel like they could flatten a city block. The chorus brings melodic lift without softening the impact. The mid-track quiet section gives you just enough breath before the engine roars back. This is a journey of pounding riffs and unexpectedly delicate touches.

“Immersed in the black” (track 4) begins with a brief atmospheric shimmer before crashing into a riff that buzzes like a sabotaged generator. It is a full-throttle piece of groove metal that brings to mind the precision and bite of Lamb of God, yet it never feels derivative. Death Rattle have their own edge.

After the onslaught, “Veils of consciousness” (track 5) provides a short instrumental intermission. It is dreamlike, melodic and almost clockwork in its pacing. A welcome moment to reset before the next barrage.

Then come two absolute standouts. “Social war machine” (track 6) uses an almost Latin rhythm to open before snapping into a galloping groove. The chorus blooms into wider chords and the late guitar solo is wonderfully emotive. The whole track feels like it is constantly pushing forward.

“Venom in the crown” (track 7) is shorter, leaner and more direct. Every riff feels sharpened. It is brutal in the most satisfying way and the guitar solo is another strong moment.

“Noctivigant” (track 8) eases back slightly, though only slightly. The harmonised chorus adds something new to the palette and the groove section is tremendous. The lyric “Take me out of this vicious world” lands with surprising emotional weight.

“March of delusion” (track 9) opens with a nod to Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” but quickly becomes its own beast. Dark, pounding, relentless. The main riff feels like machinery boring through stone and I love it. Where this march is leading, I want to follow.

Closing track “The darkness” (track 10) brings the grooviest, most infectious riff on the album. It has that mid-paced swing that makes your whole body move, and it feels like a celebration of everything Death Rattle do so well. A perfect ending.

Conclusion

I have genuinely struggled to finish this review because I have not wanted to stop listening. This album has stayed in my playlist because it gives me everything I want from groove metal – weight, melody, conviction and that hard-to-define electricity when a band knows exactly who they are.

The Moral Chokehold (2025) is one of the most consistent and gripping metal albums I have heard this year. Every track offers something distinct, yet the record flows with real purpose. If this is where Death Rattle are heading, then 2025 may well belong to them. Could this be my number one album of 2025? It very well could be.

Review score: 100%

Video

Disclosure

Grand Sounds PR contacted me inviting me to preview Death Rattle’s forthcoming album, thank you. I have no connections to either Grand Sounds PR or Death Rattle. I’m not being paid to review this, but I did get a free digital copy of the album to review which is pretty cool. Many thanks to Grand Sounds PR, and to Death Rattle for continuing to create fresh, exciting groove metal.