Sunday, September 16, 2007
See Bottom For Myspace Links
To those out there who have not yet been completely indoctrinated into the cult of brutality, the bottom of this page contains links to what Nick and I feel to be a laundry list of good brutal death/slam/deathgrind bands. Please check back constantly as there will be more added as we discover them.
Rest In Peace Wayne Knupp: '76-'07
One of the originators of modern brutal vocals, Wayne Knupp has passed away Saturday September 16th 2007 from multiple organ failure tied to continuing alcohol abuse.
Both of us at SLAM-MINDED extend consolation to Wayne's family, friends, and other fans like us. There will be no other like him. May we continue to hoist the flag of brutality in his name!
Both of us at SLAM-MINDED extend consolation to Wayne's family, friends, and other fans like us. There will be no other like him. May we continue to hoist the flag of brutality in his name!
Down From the Wound - Agony Through Rituals Of Self Purification - October 07
This post is to let everyone know that Down From the Wound (Philippines) is releasing their debut album on Sevared Records and it's coming soon. The scene in the Philippines is amazing right now with bands including Human Mastication and Pus Vomit, and Down From the Wound might be the best of them all. They are sick and slamming and should fill any Devourment fan's heart with glee. This release also includes their demo as an added bonus. If you haven't heard of this band or their countrymen check them out. I am very optimistic about this album and kudos to Sevared for bringing us all this great BDM from South East Asia.
myspace link: Down From the Wound Myspace
myspace link: Down From the Wound Myspace
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Demo/EP Level Slam/Brutal Bands
I've chosen FIVE slam or BDM bands who have released only demos and EPs, who NEED new albums soon. A couple have 'em on the way, but that's moot...these are bands people absolutely must hear...
Hyonblud (China) is first. Their infectious brand of fast-paced hyperblast slam has trained these ears to love the style. It started with a similar band from Japan who we'll discuss later, but these guys have released only a few demos of absolutely awesome catchy slam with no downsides. Everything is perfectly well done, great low vocals with some insane inhales, technical slams and pinch harmonics in the vein of Malignancy and Deeds Of Flesh and just great drumming/rhythm overall. I highly look forward to upcoming works by these brutal fuckers!
Orchidectomy (Canada) are the closest thing to Wormed you will find, but there are several differences from that style. While this is strictly incredibly fast slamming sickness, and the vocals are generally quite similar (the Spanish band's are higher in the mix, but that's a technicality) the riffs this band uses are not as distortion-heavy or focused on unbelievable low end. The slam breakdowns are also much more traditionally paced, in the TXDM style. Some catchy riffs pop out here and there, such as the end of "Celestial Excruciations." This band has an album coming out later this year, and I'm hotly anticipating it.
Woundeep (Japan) are at the absolute forefront of this movement, despite probably being the least consistently active of all of these crazy bastards. They have great depth in terms of lyrics/concepts and varying slam styles. The drumming is also great, well produced and deep on the first demo I've heard (featuring "Color Of Betrayal" and "Deceitful Existence" only) and more fast-paced and triggered (not a bad thing; on the Weapons Of Mass Protection EP). These guys have been saying for years that their album will be out soon, but I don't see it. Assuming they eventually DO come out with the album, it will likely be on of the best slam albums in recent years. Pay heed!
Disconformity (Japan) are another group of Asians (also friends with the previous band, if I remember right) playing massive, psychotic slam death. Their slams are FULL of amazing groove, possibly even surpassing the immensity of Devourment. The vocals are also very varied, even within specific songs, with the guy sometimes going for layered vocals (dual uber-guttural and inhaled, or what have you). The drums are well-produced, and the bass sometimes even plays above the guitar to make things a little more interesting. Great stuff here, hopefully they make it past the EP stage soon...!
Sarcolytic (TX, USA) are, of course, TXDM. They approach fast speeds a lot of the time, in a way similar to the masters of fast/slow technical BDM, Deeds Of Flesh, but they have a lot of time on their hands for Texas-stomp-style breakdowns amongst the tremolo riffs and fast-paced anti-groove sections. I foresee a bright future for this band, considering they are somewhat of a supergroup...members have been/are in other bands such as Images Of Violence, Disgorge, and Sect Of Execration, so I'm assuming you know what to expect by now. Still, incredibly brutal, very well written stuff from these psychopaths. Hails.
'Til next time...
Hyonblud (China) is first. Their infectious brand of fast-paced hyperblast slam has trained these ears to love the style. It started with a similar band from Japan who we'll discuss later, but these guys have released only a few demos of absolutely awesome catchy slam with no downsides. Everything is perfectly well done, great low vocals with some insane inhales, technical slams and pinch harmonics in the vein of Malignancy and Deeds Of Flesh and just great drumming/rhythm overall. I highly look forward to upcoming works by these brutal fuckers!
Orchidectomy (Canada) are the closest thing to Wormed you will find, but there are several differences from that style. While this is strictly incredibly fast slamming sickness, and the vocals are generally quite similar (the Spanish band's are higher in the mix, but that's a technicality) the riffs this band uses are not as distortion-heavy or focused on unbelievable low end. The slam breakdowns are also much more traditionally paced, in the TXDM style. Some catchy riffs pop out here and there, such as the end of "Celestial Excruciations." This band has an album coming out later this year, and I'm hotly anticipating it.
Woundeep (Japan) are at the absolute forefront of this movement, despite probably being the least consistently active of all of these crazy bastards. They have great depth in terms of lyrics/concepts and varying slam styles. The drumming is also great, well produced and deep on the first demo I've heard (featuring "Color Of Betrayal" and "Deceitful Existence" only) and more fast-paced and triggered (not a bad thing; on the Weapons Of Mass Protection EP). These guys have been saying for years that their album will be out soon, but I don't see it. Assuming they eventually DO come out with the album, it will likely be on of the best slam albums in recent years. Pay heed!
Disconformity (Japan) are another group of Asians (also friends with the previous band, if I remember right) playing massive, psychotic slam death. Their slams are FULL of amazing groove, possibly even surpassing the immensity of Devourment. The vocals are also very varied, even within specific songs, with the guy sometimes going for layered vocals (dual uber-guttural and inhaled, or what have you). The drums are well-produced, and the bass sometimes even plays above the guitar to make things a little more interesting. Great stuff here, hopefully they make it past the EP stage soon...!
Sarcolytic (TX, USA) are, of course, TXDM. They approach fast speeds a lot of the time, in a way similar to the masters of fast/slow technical BDM, Deeds Of Flesh, but they have a lot of time on their hands for Texas-stomp-style breakdowns amongst the tremolo riffs and fast-paced anti-groove sections. I foresee a bright future for this band, considering they are somewhat of a supergroup...members have been/are in other bands such as Images Of Violence, Disgorge, and Sect Of Execration, so I'm assuming you know what to expect by now. Still, incredibly brutal, very well written stuff from these psychopaths. Hails.
'Til next time...
Colombia: A Brutal Paradise
If you have any interest in Brutal Death you should now the amazing music the South American country of Colombia has given us. Not one other country on the continent comes close to the quality coming out of Colombia. There must be something in the water, but whatever it is, it is good for us brutalheads.
I'll start by talking about Amputated Genitals. They have released one album entitled Human Meat Gluttony. Like it's name it is exceedingly brutal. Wet gutturals similar to those of Cenotaph (tur) and Disgorge (us) cascade down backed by loud blasts. The guitar riffs are relentless and often remind me of the aforementioned Disgorge. What really makes me love the band though is that they add a few elements here and there to complement the excellent brutality. For example on the song Chessman Red Monday they do a nice melodic part that'll get you headbanging. On the song Garavito Attacks Again they begin with a nice vocal solo. It is this package of brutality-plus that makes me love them.
Another great band from the area is Ancient Necropsy. This is a one man band that makes extremely interesting death/grind. Not only is the music brutal, but the riffs and song structures will keep you engaged. My only issue is that the vocals tend to be weaker than I would like, but this is minor and forgivable when the man behind the project has to do everything else.
If you are looking for the more slam side of things, then you need to check out Carnivore Diprosopus. Listening to them reminds me of a zombie, flesh dripping off, staggering around. If this doesn't get stuck in your head I don't know what will. The slams are infectious and heavy. On the album Madhouse's Macabre Acts the production is a little shabby, which is unfortunate, but recent rerecordings have sounded excellent so I am optimistic about this band's future.
Lastly I'd mention the undisputed ruler of Colombian Brutal Death: Goretrade. God damn these guys are good. If these guys were the Beatles I would be a 16 year old schoolgirl screaming and tearing at my hair. Goretrade marries Brutal Death and Old School death perfectly. They are just as brutal as their contemporaries, but utilize the riffing style that made death metal great in the first place. Just when you want to bang your head to a nice tremelo old school riff, they bust it out. Then when you're sick of that, they descend into a mammoth slam. The vocals are well patterned and add a lot. A lot of people complain the drums are too loud, but I would disagree. Basically if you take one thing away from reading this, it should be BUY GORETRADE ALBUMS!
I know I haven't covered all the Colombian BDM (far from it), but these bands are a good starting point for anyone interested in the scene, so go out and get some Colombian BDM senor!
I'll start by talking about Amputated Genitals. They have released one album entitled Human Meat Gluttony. Like it's name it is exceedingly brutal. Wet gutturals similar to those of Cenotaph (tur) and Disgorge (us) cascade down backed by loud blasts. The guitar riffs are relentless and often remind me of the aforementioned Disgorge. What really makes me love the band though is that they add a few elements here and there to complement the excellent brutality. For example on the song Chessman Red Monday they do a nice melodic part that'll get you headbanging. On the song Garavito Attacks Again they begin with a nice vocal solo. It is this package of brutality-plus that makes me love them.
Another great band from the area is Ancient Necropsy. This is a one man band that makes extremely interesting death/grind. Not only is the music brutal, but the riffs and song structures will keep you engaged. My only issue is that the vocals tend to be weaker than I would like, but this is minor and forgivable when the man behind the project has to do everything else.
If you are looking for the more slam side of things, then you need to check out Carnivore Diprosopus. Listening to them reminds me of a zombie, flesh dripping off, staggering around. If this doesn't get stuck in your head I don't know what will. The slams are infectious and heavy. On the album Madhouse's Macabre Acts the production is a little shabby, which is unfortunate, but recent rerecordings have sounded excellent so I am optimistic about this band's future.
Lastly I'd mention the undisputed ruler of Colombian Brutal Death: Goretrade. God damn these guys are good. If these guys were the Beatles I would be a 16 year old schoolgirl screaming and tearing at my hair. Goretrade marries Brutal Death and Old School death perfectly. They are just as brutal as their contemporaries, but utilize the riffing style that made death metal great in the first place. Just when you want to bang your head to a nice tremelo old school riff, they bust it out. Then when you're sick of that, they descend into a mammoth slam. The vocals are well patterned and add a lot. A lot of people complain the drums are too loud, but I would disagree. Basically if you take one thing away from reading this, it should be BUY GORETRADE ALBUMS!
I know I haven't covered all the Colombian BDM (far from it), but these bands are a good starting point for anyone interested in the scene, so go out and get some Colombian BDM senor!
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