Pedestal For Leviathan - Enter: Vampyric Manifestation

Label: Personal Records/Gurgling Gore

Release Date: October 31st, 2025

As soon as I started this album I smiled and thought to myself, “this is exactly what I want to be listening to right now”. Colorado Vampyric Death Metal band, Pedestal For Leviathan released their debut full length album, Enter: Vampyric Manifestation on Halloween 2025. Perfect release date for such a haunting sonic experience. What a great, refreshing death metal listen that offers more than just stinky fuckers cosplaying as Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse or Dying Fetus, or some sample filled slam bullshit that everyone likes to suck dry. Pedestal For Leviathan is not derivative, they are carving out their own territory.

This is dark vampyric horror, presented via nasty nasty death metal, the darkest of synths, and brother, I love me some dark synth. After about 3 listens, the intro of first track Chalice Bleeds Intoxicant not only made me want to go back to Castlevania, it had me go, “shit if this ain’t straight outta the 90s Batman The Animated Series intro”. I fuckin love it. I can’t unhear it, I’m sorry. It’s probably just me.

Stand out tracks include Lycanthropichrist which really invokes the title of the album because I feel like vampires have closed in on me by the end of the song and there’s no where left to run (but do I really want to escape? nah, turn me yo), Purgatory Displacement, which sonically comes with a touch of hardcore sensibilities, and album closer Warlock Blacksmith that ends the experience on a brutal note. This album is filled with tasteful atmosphere, well done synth parts, and crushing guitars.

At the heart of this project is Kendrick Lemke. Pedestal is his creation, he writes and records everything for the band. If you know Kendrick, you will agree what you hear on this record is undeniably Kendrick. From his influences, to his time playing in Florida favorite Graveview, to his other current projects (almost all of which released at least a single this year, check metallum), his musical DNA is at the forefront of Pedestal For Leviathan.

I wish it leaned more into the grand aspects of some of the influences it’s drawing from. I feel like they’re still only scratching the surface with this. It would be interesting to hear more focus on the symphonic aspects and atmosphere building, to really elevate everything to the next level. It explores this space but Pedestal For Leviathan should proudly occupy it. Fuck it, someone give Kendrick a bigass budget so he can get an entire orchestra on the next release. 

Enter: Vampyric Manifestation is a stand out debut for a death metal band in 2025. It is journey that does indeed manifest vampyricly after you enter into a brutal yet gothic atmosphere of horror. This album is a statement, Pedestal For Leviathan should be on everyone’s radar. I am excited for the future of this band, because the potential is immense, and the experience unique and intriguing. The best is yet to come. 

Score: 8/10

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/pedestalforleviathan/