Mammoth Grinder- 2010 Tour Cassette

Band Myspace
Released: Summer 2010
Release Type: Cassette,only sold at shows I believe
Label: Nuclear Solution


So last week was a good week for me in terms of shows. I was able to catch Salome with Landmind Marathon on Tuesday, then come Thursday I got to see Mammoth Grinder, Concussion, and two others who weren't bad. Salome were amazing, and Mammoth Grinder were just tons of fun. For Mammoth Grinder I was too close so the PA was behind me and because of that I never really heard any vocals.The energy, and song selection made it an awesome gig (even did a Terrorizer Cover, "After World Obliteration" I think: can't go wrong).

So I picked this up, along with The Impalers cassette (( a blackened Motorhead-esque band featuring Chris (guitars of Mammoth Grinder/Hatred Surge) and Mike (drums for Hatred Surge) I believe. It's something I'll probably post later)). Anywho, what I've heard of Mammoth Grinder always seemed good, but never really struck me, this cassette however, alludes to an awesome future for the band. I'm lacking track titles as the cassette gives none but simply says:

Tracks 1-3 from upcoming split with Hatred Surge on Cyclopean Records
Tracks 4-5 from 'Obsessed with Death 7"' sing on Hell Massacre Records
Track 6 from 'In the Year of our Lord: A Tribute to Rorschach'

That being that, the one track I know for sure is track 5, which is a is a cover of Venom's "Welcome to Hell" which is superbly done. The tracks from the upcoming Hatred Surge split are reminiscent of early 90's death metal, which I love. Things stomp around at a midpace tempo that is just begging for you to headbang to, not to mention that brutal half time shift in the first track at 1:40- trust me, this was great to hear live. I don't know Mammoth Grinder too well, but this seems like a bit of a departure as things for the most part are kept around a mid tempo with short blast beats and d-beats to be found. For the most part sounds like a d-beat influenced 90's Swedish death metal band.

One thing I can't applaud them enough for is their Venom cover. Some bands do too faithful of a cover, which seems pointless as I could just hear the original then, and some bands like Mammoth Grinder incorporate the basics and make it their own. The vocals are in a gruffer Lemmy style and the tone is a lot heavier than Venom could ever fathom; there's even a blast beat. I'd say this is worth the tape alone. Speaking of covers, the Rorschach cover is great too. I don't know Rorschach too well (in fact I'm not much of a fan of their stuff) but this track is badass.

This is a nifty little item, if you can catch them on tour defiantly pick this thing up. I've tried my hand at ripping it, the quality seems a bit skewed, but not by much.

Tours dates can be found at Cyclopean Record's website as well as some merch.

-F

Hatred Surge- Deconstruct

Myspace
Label: Rescued From Life Records
Release Type: LP, CD
Released:2009
Genre:Power Violence

Honestly I don't know how we at CJ skipped this one, I mean Hatred Surge is just as big of a house hold name as Insect Warfare or any of these other U.S. grinders, blasters, violencers, or whatever you wanna call them. Frankly I feel silly. Here we see Hatred Surge deliverer the goods with their first full length, although in all honesty it feels a lot like an EP or MLP, but whatever I Like Hatred Surge enough to not give a damn.

For those of you out of the loop Hatred Surge incorperate a thick and super heavy guitar/bass attack, thudding drums and some awesomely voracious vocals. The duo of voices that is Mr. Alex Hughes and Ms. Faiza Kracheni, absolutely rip; of course I'm a sucker for female vocals like these paired with power violence and the like, but still; dope. What they deliever are powerful and memorable music that's completely unforgiving. The thick plucky bass and shouted vocals in gang fashion that show up around end the record carry that old punk vibe perfectly and act as an appropriate closer. The vocal delivery is one of Hatred Surge's best assests, from all the stuff I've heard by them (Insect Warfare split, Endless Blockade split, S/T ep) the vocals always stand out and have me shouting away and kicking all kinds of things across the room, it's no different here.

Whilst kicking shit around in my room, the "surge" (too good a word to describe the band) from song to song is flawless. Punky sections to out of the blue blast beats, to dismal sections of feedback and pounding drums Hatred Surge are a seamless act. They encapsulate flow so well, each song leads to another perfectly and the rhythmic shifts promise for a satisfying live show. The combination of a sludgy guitar tone, as well as stylings of the aforementioned genre works so perfectly (see the first track) in comparison with the ultra stupid as fuck fast blasting.

Hatred Surge does the scene proud with another reliable and highly enjoyable release. They're still kickin' the same kinda vibe they've been doing for a bit (although I see some Mind Eraser seeping in more obviously) but this is their first full length and I can hardly blame them for that.
Blast this loud, blast this proud, put the thing on repeat and spazz out for as long as you can.

Take a gander here, buy here.


On a completely unrelated note I haven't been able to stop watching this video. I'm an instant fan after seeing this. Check their myspace, the banter between them and Graf Orlock is hilarious.





-F