A review by Gioia –

Benign (feat. Devin Shidaker, The Acacia Strain)

Benign wastes no time getting to the point. Devin Shidaker’s guest vocals add extra bite while keeping Scaphist’s identity front and centre. The main vocal line is crushing and confident, cutting straight through as the band snaps in around it. Guitars sit low and mean, mixing concealed aggression with flashes of dissonance that keep the tension high. The bass and drums give it a steady swing, so the groove never feels static. Midway through, the energy ramps up, fills get busier, accents sharpen, and by the final section the kit forces the pace forward. The closing breakdown does not just drop, it lands like a destination, heavy, satisfying, and built to open the floor.

9/10

Narcissist

Narcissist tightens everything further. From the first bar, the vocals stay in attack mode and carry the track with real presence. The guitars work a tight, down-tuned pocket, adding just enough syncopation to give a modern snap without losing the deathcore backbone. You can feel the arrangement thinking ahead: each riff sets up the next part, so momentum never dips. Drums switch cleanly between driving pulse and interval stomps to frame the heaviest hits. The final build leaves just enough space, so the last breakdown arrives like a decision, not a trick. It’s a proper closer for the track: crowd-splitting, chant-ready, and memorable after one listen.

9/10

Dark Trap (feat. John Slofkoski, Snake Father)

Dark Trap opens on atmosphere with a cold, digital-tinged riff that hooks immediately before the band punches through. When it hits, it’s fast and raw—the kind of pace that makes you headbang instantly. John Slofkoski’s guest vocal adds a serrated texture that plays well against the main growls, giving the layered moments extra lift. The drums keep everything surging forward while the guitars alternate between tight melodic lines and open, echo-touched figures, so the track breathes between pressure and space. The standout move is the low, creeping breakdown that slides in under the vocals, holds the tension, and then swells back with weight. The use of echoes and slow-down riff turns adds depth without clutter, and the payoff lands clean and hard.

10/10

Overall

Three singles, three angles on the same intent: heavy, clear, and audience-ready. Benign sets the tone with direct impact and a big finish. Narcissist shows control and structure without losing aggression. Dark Trap adds atmosphere and contrast while keeping the hit factor high. Absolutely banging delivery.

Listen to SCAPHIST here – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YW8EvnEpxd6ldbUInmIEb?si=CghR8HeRRjuaqPrQISTplA

And follow their socials! – https://www.instagram.com/scaphistuk?igsh=MnJsYzA3eXNzMjBx