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