Death-Grindcore
Page
This is one of
two pages where you won't find any further dividing the style into several
sub-styles. Theoretically, Death/Grindcore should be placed as a sub-style in Death
metal according to our classification. However, the trend has become so widely known
and distinguished, that we have to organize it into a separate category.
Like Death metal itself, this style goes even further to the
extremes. Yet, it accomplishes this in a rather different way. Instead
of promoting only heaviness, bands in this style experiment with most extreme sounds and
effects. They also tend to be very fast (but not always), with no use of melody at
all. It is in this style where you will find incredible guitar solos instead of
melodic parts. Music sometimes gives almost mechanical feel, but nobody could ever
explain what exactly makes this music so attractive. It's great just because it is
extreme. In some cases this is like a twilight zone, a border between music
and noise. Lyrics are also marked by incredible creativity. (Look into the
early Carcass works to understand what we mean). The style
itself is pretty close to Brutal Death side,
intercrossing sometimes. The main difference is that
Brutal Death mostly goes after utmost brutality in sound multiplied by total heaviness yet
still within the standard death framework, whereas Death/Grindcore is more open to various
"noisy " experimentation, pushing the music beyond any standards of sound and
speed
Finally let us note how enormously difficult creating new catchy
stuff in this area; maybe because of that many bands have only approached the style but
never stayed for long.
| Broken Hope (USA) |
Excellent stuff, this time leaning towards Brutal Death sound. They are still in! We've been listening much to their late works "Repulsive Conception (1995 sample)" and "Loathing (1997 sample)" and remained deeply satisfied. Both albums best complement each other, sound is brutal indeed, and voices are really monstrous and great (a little similar to Cannibal Corpse). They can equally be placed to the brutal side (here). |
| Blood
(Germany) |
Excellent band with very original sound enriched by many sound effects. Look, all their albums are great, with many songs and an impressive variation within the songs (since those tend to be short, the total lengths of the albums are usually small and never get boring) ranging from total brutal death/grindcore to almost death/doom inclusions. To best understand the spirit of the band, try "Christbait (1992)" and "O Agios Pethane (1994 sample)." A nice addition to virtually any collection. |
| Brutal Truth (USA) |
One more good representative of the whole style. They've come even further towards the extremes. And they still survive and keep pushing the style onto new horizons (Bravo!). With each subsequent album they produce still more noisy and faster sound. "Sounds of the Animal Kingdom (1997 sample)" is the longest and the most extreme so far. The band also incorporates some industrial sound in the late works. Beware, however, the sound may not suit you; it's really harsh and chaotic, so that some people can't perceive it at all (we can't listen to it too often as well). |
| Carcass
(Britain) |
The early works of this interesting band definitely stay in the Death/Grindcore vein. You'll always recognize this band by distinctive vocals, sharp sound, and disgusting lyrics (which are really cool). The culmination of the early Carcass would certainly be "Necroticism - Descending the Insalubrious (1991 sample)." It is very technical, has many awesome guitar solos, and possesses the power of catching you mind forever. "Symphonies of Sickness (1989)" stay pretty close to this as well, even rawer but still very exciting. In their late works (starting with "Heartwork (1993)"), Carcass went away from the Grindcore roots towards a new "own" style. Nonetheless we like their late works too (see here), even if they turned into a different road. |
| Kataklysm (Canada) |
These guys are forcing death metal to new extremes. The name itself nicely reflects the kind of music they play. Vocals are mostly on the death side, but some horrible screeches are added as well (that's why we've put the band in the death/black position also, see here). In general, the music sounds sometimes more like chaos and needs certain time to be perceived. We like it nonetheless, much more than latest experiments of Brutal Truth. Listen to "Sorcery (1995)" and "Temple of Knowledge (1996 sample)" if you like true and uncompromising extremely brutal death. When we listen to their second album (especially towards the end), it creates a very lively impression of what real Armageddon might sound like. Don't miss! |
| Macabre (USA) |
The best and almost the only one real album is "Sinister Slaughter" (1993). They sing about serial killers, have several voices ranging from totally brutal to almost hysterical. But what makes their work totally unique and amazing is that about half of songs are written on a well recognizable tunes, which makes them very catchy and memorable. |
| Napalm
Death (Britain) |
Another great band which started in a pure Death/Grindcore style and then gradually abandoned the roots. At the verge of their time, they truly deserved to be called "the kings of grindcore". The best representation of the whole style (not just our opinion, but of many many people) could be their early works including "Scum (1987)," "From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988)," and "The Peel Sessions (1989)." "Harmony Corruption (1990 sample)" is still not far from there. Listen to all these albums and after a while you will either love Death/Grindcore or hate it. Another great album is "Utopia Banished (1992 sample)," produced in a slightly different manner and having more original sound and approach (actually, we love this album even more than the previous ones). We can't judge their late works, we only know that they completely went off the main road like many others (probably, could not keep up on the sharp edge). |
| Pungent
Stench (Austria) |
A new addition to our own collection, yet a beautiful one. For sure everything has been done but this band is great, and in the vein of Death/Grindcore. "For God Your Soul, for Me Your Flesh (1990)" is a masterpiece of brutal sound (just try to imagine sounds coming from under a gas mask, very nice and original! :-) ). Their last work (here) is also great and quite long for the style (fortunately, here it is worth it!). The bad news is that they are no longer in stay there, so the list of their great works has finally come to an end. |
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This page was last updated on 07/21/99
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