Goetia is a self-described D.C. death metal band. This is accurate, but listening to the new full-length record Mortuary Cult, the thrash part of the band’s sound isn’t accounted for in that description. A phrase we used to use in Disposable Underground ‘zine back in the ‘90s, deathrash, comes to mind; we sometimes used it derisively back then, but I’m not doing that here. This post is intended as a strong notice.
Having said all that, Goetia doesn’t shy from highlighting its thrash sound. I’m not able to pick out all of Goetia’s influences on Mortuary Cult, but the group has covered old Venom and old Kreator—good indicators.
Lyrically, the band describes itself as occult-themed. It seems like it, with new-album song titles such as “Eternal Samhain” and “Lanterns of the Dead,” but there’s also full-on death metal titles like “Bestial Tomb” and “Posthumous Execution.”
The record has a heavy, professional sound. The sequence is interesting: there’s some sound effects for mood in a couple of places, and the way “Excarnation” suddenly shifts into “Tortures in Time” is unusual. The record is packed with flashy drums and flashy lead guitar work, and that’s part of what people listen to Goetia and go see the band live for.
The folks in Goetia are a three-piece that like to yuk it up as much as the next power trio, but when it comes down to doing the band, they don’t entertain any B.S. Goetia is a hard-working group that has earned the name recognition it currently has by hitting the road repeatedly and putting out solid EPs.
And the band has delivered again on all fronts with Mortuary Cult. For a touch from a scene veteran, Chris Taylor from pg.99 delivered the cover art.
Music Videos
Check out a video for the title track below …
And for “Corpse Candle,” below.
Bottom line, if you’re ready to bang your head off your neck and/or get mowed down in the pit, pick up Mortuary Cult and get your ass to a Goetia show.
Where to Get the Record
Mortuary Cult is out now from Carbonized Records on CD, LP, and digital.
Tour Dates
Goetia is naturally in the middle of a tour to promote the record. The dates are below, with the last one being a record release show in D.C.
6/26/2026 Static Age – Asheville, NC
6/27/2026 Bogg’s – Atlanta, GA
6/28/2026 Mad Malt’s – Huntsville, AL
6/29/2026 DRKMTTR – Nashville, TN
6/30/2026 Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
7/01/2026 Fubar – St. Louis, MO
7/02/2026 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
7/03/2026 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN
7/04/2026 Gazebo Park – Huntington, WV
7/10/2026 DC9 – Washington, DC
Further reading:
I wrote about Perpetuated, the previous band from two-thirds of Goetia.
Photo: Travis Stone
