Originally published in ‘zine issue #27, 2003
City Of Caterpillar 2000 album
(Level Plane)
City Of Caterpillar’s debut full length is an enrapturing seven-song arrangement that is, in essence, a uniquely pervasive work of art. When giving it your full attention, this record will sweep you away into the extensions of its urgency and slap you around a bit, while enveloping you in its thick, moody atmosphere. The combination of the drums’ spasmodic rhythms, hidden under tremulous layers of angular guitar, as well as the mellow, then elated, feel of the delicate intricacies found early in the songs’ introductions, help to foster this effect. Though the lyrics are practically indecipherable, even they seem to hold some significant meaning when vocalized, raw and passionate, pressed against these cataclysmic melodies. Because most of the songs clock in at around seven minutes, I probably wouldn’t recommend the album to the impatient listener. For those who have the time and patience to sit it though in one listening, they will understand just how well the songs play off one another to form a complete body of music that is entirely stimulating. As an album, in short, it goes without saying that this is a brilliant one which defies convention in its transcendental air.
(by Taryn Wilkinson) ■
God Forsaken Electric Release
(Ktok)
Ok, I about needed some no-holds-barred doom rock about now. God Forsaken from Finland has upped the ante on this EP, which I enjoyed better than their last demo (reviewed in #25). Heavy sound, strong playing, and vocals that work with the music. Good job!
(by Editor) ■
Misery Index update
A death metal band which has been collecting some rave reviews, the American Misery Index has recorded several releases and has collected their songs from them on a CD-R which they will burn for anyone that contacts them and asks.
The band is interesting because they concentrate on writing good death metal and don’t bore the listener with pointless technicality like others in the genre.
First on the compilation is their 2003 demo, which sounds pretty good; the drums are too clicky but besides that you can hear everything and I have no other complaints. The vocals are kind of hardcore, which is a good mix with the metal, as well as some of the catchy hardcore-style riffing in the guitar department. That’s the thing with Misery Index. They have good death metal, some blasts, and memorable hardcore parts. This, their latest recording, shows that all the talk about the band is deserved.
Their material on the split EP with Structure Of Lies, the next batch of songs, is solid, with some more death metal style in the vocals. There’s lead guitar work to be found as well, unlike the demo songs. I think there’s a little Dying Fetus influence in the slower parts, too.
On the Commit Suicide split, next on the CD-R, there isn’t any lead work again, which is OK. I think this material is more grindcore-influenced in the riffs (grindcore coming from hardcore).
Lastly there’s five live tracks from a radio show appearance in Boston which are really fine quality. They clearly show this band has their music wired down perfectly, like they know their songs backwards and forwards.
(by Editor) ■
Unholy Grave update
The Japanese grindcore band has recorded some material at different times in a year and spread them out over three more split 7”es. They’ve recorded themselves at their studio, and so the music sounds very rough and not especially clean. Their best songs out of the bunch is on the second split below, and the least remarkable is on the last split. So anyway, let’s take a look, shall we?
On the split with Sabbat (The Sky is Red) with lovely colored vinyl, there’s a Terrorizer cover, a Napalm Death cover, and the ragin’, dirty hardcore grind there these guys play and are known for. Five songs on their side, with a good sense of humor along with their simplistic political message. Sabbat is a Japanese black metal band. These guys have real attitude, especially the bass player. On their side you’ll find great, sloppy music; their one song is called “Hellfire,” and has an ‘80s feel to it, like old Venom, very raw and poorly recorded, but pure gold.
The next record we’ll talk about is the split with Godstomper (Rescued from Life). Godstomper is a lot of fun because they roll into the studio, make up a bunch of music and play it all once, and then they break it into songs on the record. The music, then, has wild abandon and immediate harsh, raw, distorted freshness.
Finally there’s the Gang Up On Against split (Mink). The GUOA stuff is awesome! Six tracks of totally insane, disjointed music, by a band that can play! They mix grindcore and rock ‘n’ roll with spastic vocals and flashy bass runs and guitar licks. On this record there’s an appropriately crisp recording too. Great songs … they don’t let up for a second!
(by Editor) ■
