What’s up, motherpeckers? The releases are coming fast and furious, but maybe your old pal Waldo is a little jaded and would like to review some stuff that I don’t need to birdshit all over. Well, anyway, let’s get to it. First off, we have the supergroup FULGORA from the frosty nether-regions of, well, Baltimore and St. Louis. This band features members of Misery Index and Pig Destroyer (like those bands weren’t incestuous enough), and now an ex-member of Dying Fetus. Like you guys care about that; what does it sound like? This is a mostly metal version of hardcore. Not like the beatdown kind of hardcore; think more post-hardcore stuff, more akin to Botch without sounding expressly like anyone in particular. There are plenty of blast beats on this, and the riffs are hooky without being hokey (like what I did there?). The screamed vocals take this out of the death metal category, although there are some groovier riffs that could swim in that sea. My one complaint is that the vocals seem a little high in the mix. But hey, all in all, Strategem on Housecore (courtesy of the legend Phil Anselmo) is really good. 8 Fucking Pecks.
THEORIES release Regression on Metal Blade, finally. Seems like this band has been at it a while, so they’ve had some time to hone their craft. This is grindcore, but not like straight-up grind — you know, the four-on-the-floor grind. There are some definite elements of crust up in this piece, and a punk vibe that make this thing breathe. Having seen them a bunch of times, I was excited to hear this release, and I gotta say I’m pleased. There are some element of what I can best describe as power metal, but not real power metal — melodic parts that give way to a pummeling assault. The production here is spot-on and really lends to the overall vibe. Cool. 7 Fucking Pecks.
UNREST release Grindcore (no, not this Unrest) on Unspeakeable Axe, and the titular reference here really sums this up. This is grindcore to a “t.” Keeping with the theme of this week’s blog, there are blasts, grunt and growls. It’s pretty ballsy to call your record “grindcore,” but this lives up to it. There are elements, of course, of Napalm Death and Repulsion, but toss in a little Disrupt and you got it. This is a punch to the gut, and is really throwback grind without sounding dated or like a copy. This is an admirable first effort, and I’m stoked to hear more. 7 Fucking Pecks.
