Death Metal
Sweden

Released 5th February, 2026

You have to hand it to Rogga Johansson and the amount of bands and projects he is connected with. The man has got more fingers in more pies than Sweeney Todd’s basement. I’m pretty certain he sleeps with a mic and guitar, because this is the fourteenth studio album from his band PAGANIZER alone.

This album also comes merely a few months after another band he is involved with released their latest full length (Ribspreader’s, As Gods Devour), it’s a wonder if he actually has time to sleep at all.
But, it is PAGANIZER we are looking at here and, specifically the album AS MANKIND ROTS. Bluntly put, a proper collection of proper death metal, done bluntly and properly. There is no mincing of words, riffs or beats here throughout the eleven slabs of pulverised meat.

The title track is a blast of energy and filth that doesn’t so much open the door, but pounds you past the threshold. After which, DEVOURED has a measured, battle scarred purpose in its mid tempo attack. It feels like a full mechanised assault.

It’s hard to pin down any angle or nuance on this album, which is its biggest strength, as shown later on with ONLY MAGGOTS. A breathless passage of awe and dread. The album is just brutality, aggression and down tuned demolition manifest and, if there were such a thing on AS MANKIND ROTS, we get some respite midway with A TESTAMENT TO MADNESS. Sonically, it is like Cathedral going full chat. Full of swing and groove yet carrying more than enough danger behind the eyes.

I could go on for much longer but, surprise surprise, Mr Johansson has another trick up his sleeve, and we’ll discuss that very soon.
In the meantime, rest assured you will find a lot to like with this album. Its dynamics are tried and tested, and PAGANIZER have found it to be true.

You get what you deserve with AS MANKIND ROTS, and you deserve this in spades.

AS MANKIND ROTS by PAGANIZER is available now on streaming platforms and on various formats via XTREEM MUSIC Records here.