Year: 2013
Every once in a
while, I go through a phase, where all I need is a huge wall of music to grind
my face. When I came across the band Facegrinder, this is exactly what I
expected. Going into this album, my expectations from this band where pretty
high, because earlier this year, I had reviewed an album from another band from by same members, called Corpseflesh and that album had impressed me so much. So
does Facegrinder impress as much as Corpseflesh, or is it not as good?
The very name of
the band, Facegrinder, is an indicator that this band is not meant to be a casual soft
listen intended for a setting with pleasant lighting. Rather, the name
indicates that this is music that is meant to be a soundtrack for some violent
and mad moshing. This quartet from Perth, Australia, delivers just that with
their brand of Brutal Death Metal, with Grindcore leanings.
‘Unstable
Mentality and Theoretical Convulsion’ is the bands first full length which
comes after a split and an EP. This album is not something that has much to
ponder over in terms of music. Describing the music, does not require much
thinking from the listener’s part. The only aim of the music seems to be to
strip the listener down to his most barbaric instincts, causing him to wreck
anything and everything in his path.
The above
statement is not meant to be a negative point, because no one listening to a
brutal death metal album comes in, expecting very intelligent and progressive music.
The songs on this record are short and they are heavy. The guitar work is very
slam oriented and combined with the support of the heavy bass, it wreaks havoc.
Facegrinder is
basically, three fourths Corpseflesh. All the members, with the exception of
bassist Jason Collins, are a part of Corpseflesh’s lineup. Though this is the
case, there is many a difference between the sounds of the two bands. While
Corpseflesh was more riff based music with a whimsical side, Facegrinder is a more
serious death machine that has serious things to say.
The use of
samples is present, though they are not as funny as on the Corpseflesh record. This
record makes the listener bang his head, whether he wants to or not. The vocals
are the typical brutal death gutturals with some high pitched screams mixed in.
The performance is tight and the delivery almost flawless.
This album is
not something that is going to go down in history as one of a kind. There have
been similar albums before and I’m sure there will be more such albums in the
future. Then why really should one give this album a chance? For one, this
album contains some easily accessible brutal death metal / grindcore mix.
Besides, for the entire 24 odd minutes that this album plays, it entertains.
This is aggressive music that is guaranteed to give your neck a 24 minute
workout.
Tight
performances and brilliant delivery make this album a worthy listen. But Facegrinder
does have room for improvement.
Rating: 78%
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