Death/Thrash Metal
Switzerland

Released 16th January, 2026 on Testimony Records

It must be a great and proud moment when you release an album. That hard slog writing, rehearsing and getting it down perfect for, not just the fans, but also an important personal achievement.

So it’s hard to imagine when, mere weeks before an album release, two members of Swiss death/thrash outfit, TOTAL ANNIHILATION leave. A bitter pill to swallow, no doubt.

Fear not, though. As the split was amicable enough, citing personal and health issues for the departures, there is no drama on the TOTAL ANNIHILATION socials. From this, thanks and good wishes go out to bassist Denge, and 2nd guitarist Schmidle on their futures.

With that aside, the remaining members Deniel Altegg (V), Nicolas Stelz (G) and Micheal Lautenschläger power on and ensure booked gigs will continue to support their new album.
MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS, their fourth, is not one to be taken lightly. The cover features reminders of the Death album The Sound Of Perseverance but that is where the similarity between them and TOTAL ANNIHILATION end. What we find behind the skin and in the guts of the album is a more tactile, classic affiliated death metal with thrash mentality.
What is unique here is the music’s versatility.

Where the tracks Mountains Of Madness and Invisible Conflagration have a strong classic, old school aura… other tracks like Choose The Day and Nyctophobia are drenched with thrash spittle. The guitars are bone dry and harsh where their heavy lifting is in the writing and playing. This adds weight to the backline that fills in and compliments the death and thrash elements to great effect.

With not much to dislike, MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS is one of those albums that will have you digging back through the dusty  CDs in your collection and relive those past gory, glory days. Then again, why would you when bands like TOTAL ANNIHILATION are keeping the memory of that old flame alive and well?

MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS by TOTAL ANNIHILATION is out now and available via Testimony Records on all streaming platforms. Also on physical and digital formats through both the label’s and band’s Bandcamp.