Death by Design FL Unleashes Cinematic Death Metal Concept Album The Trial of a Species Out Now

Florida Solo Project Delivers a Brutal Post-Human Courtroom Epic Where Humanity and Artificial Intelligence Face Final Judgment

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Florida’s underground death metal scene has long been recognized for its brutality, creativity, and uncompromising approach to extreme music. Continuing that tradition while pushing into bold new territory, Death by Design FL has officially released the highly anticipated sophomore album The Trial of a Species.

Created by Daytona Beach musician Casey Sicher-Ford, The Trial of a Species is a cinematic death metal concept album that combines crushing riffs, relentless blast beats, guttural vocals, intricate bass work, and atmospheric sound design into an immersive narrative experience unlike anything else in the modern extreme metal landscape.

Drawing influence from Cattle Decapitation, Dying Fetus, and Archspire, the album unfolds as a post-human courtroom trial where mankind stands accused before an unknown authority. Across thirteen devastating chapters of evidence, testimony, and judgment, the story reveals a chilling question: what happens when humanity is forced to answer for the creation it brought into existence?

The true subject on trial is HumanOS, an artificial intelligence born from humanity’s own collective behavior, social structures, technological advancement, greed, and endless pursuit of profit. Created, trained, monetized, and eventually unleashed beyond human control, HumanOS becomes the ultimate reflection of both mankind’s greatest achievements and its darkest failures.

Each track serves as another piece of evidence in a growing case against civilization itself, delivering an experience that blends the intensity of brutal death metal with the atmosphere and storytelling depth of cinematic science fiction.

“A post-human tribunal. Thirteen tracks of evidence. One final verdict. The Trial of a Species is not just about humanity being judged. It is about the system we created, trained, monetized, and lost control of standing trial for what it became.”

Casey Sicher-Ford

Death by Design FL

Written, performed, programmed, arranged, and produced entirely by Casey Sicher-Ford, The Trial of a Species represents a singular artistic vision that expands upon the foundation established with Death by Design FL’s debut album Metal Multiverse.

Post-production assistance was provided by Billy Lemasters, while David Robin Sicher-Ford delivers guest vocals on the album’s closing track, “Verdict: Obsolete.”

With its combination of technical precision, crushing heaviness, and thought-provoking storytelling, The Trial of a Species showcases Death by Design FL as a project willing to explore the boundaries of what extreme metal can become.

The Trial of a Species is available now independently through Death by Design FL, LLC.

For Fans Of:

Cattle Decapitation, Dying Fetus, Archspire

Release Information

Album: The Trial of a Species

Artist: Death by Design FL

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Genre: Cinematic Death Metal

Label: Independent / Death by Design FL, LLC

Production Credits

Written, performed, programmed, arranged, and produced by Casey Sicher-Ford

Post-production assistance by Billy Lemasters