Balatonizer Occlused in Ottusity
This Dark Reign Recordings TDR-16 2005
By Jason Jordan
Grab a dictionary, because Italy-based Balatonizer enjoy throwing polysyllabic words around on Occlused in Ottusity. What we have here is 32 tracks of grind in a little over 25 minutes, which makes for a nice-sized listening session; and, furthermore, this debut radiates with talent.
Just like all releases, however, Occlused in Ottusity is not devoid of problems. The drums though programmed well arent the product of a real human. Essentially, thats not a problem, but I definitely prefer a persons drumming to a drum machine, no matter how well the latter works. Perhaps the biggest turnoff about Balatonizer is the too-good-for-grind production thats obviously found everywhere on this Italian debut. Nevertheless, the groups individual performances shine due to the solid riffing and indiscriminate vocalizations. Still, I wanted the vocals to occupy the forefront on more than one occasion, but we seldom get that because they blend into the background so seamlessly. Soundclips, as is tradition with grind, are utilized quite frequently, and really add to the atmosphere on songs such as Caimme, the Scarface-esque Anfame, and the rage-filled ACinta No! It all feels part of an elaborate scheme to heighten the tension, in spite of the verbal iteration being in a foreign tongue (for me anyway).
In conclusion, couple all the aforementioned musical qualities that I described with comic book liner notes (guitarist Failla works for Marvel Comics Europe), depictions of fellatio on the CD itself, and front cover art that illustrates band members in a sea of pigs and youve got an impressive grind release. Fans of the genre would be wise to check out Balatonizer.
7.5/10
dill_the_devils Review of Balatonizer Occlused in Ottusity
Official Balatonizer Website
Official This Dark Reign Recordings Website
This Dark Reign Recordings TDR-16 2005
By Jason Jordan
Grab a dictionary, because Italy-based Balatonizer enjoy throwing polysyllabic words around on Occlused in Ottusity. What we have here is 32 tracks of grind in a little over 25 minutes, which makes for a nice-sized listening session; and, furthermore, this debut radiates with talent.
Just like all releases, however, Occlused in Ottusity is not devoid of problems. The drums though programmed well arent the product of a real human. Essentially, thats not a problem, but I definitely prefer a persons drumming to a drum machine, no matter how well the latter works. Perhaps the biggest turnoff about Balatonizer is the too-good-for-grind production thats obviously found everywhere on this Italian debut. Nevertheless, the groups individual performances shine due to the solid riffing and indiscriminate vocalizations. Still, I wanted the vocals to occupy the forefront on more than one occasion, but we seldom get that because they blend into the background so seamlessly. Soundclips, as is tradition with grind, are utilized quite frequently, and really add to the atmosphere on songs such as Caimme, the Scarface-esque Anfame, and the rage-filled ACinta No! It all feels part of an elaborate scheme to heighten the tension, in spite of the verbal iteration being in a foreign tongue (for me anyway).
In conclusion, couple all the aforementioned musical qualities that I described with comic book liner notes (guitarist Failla works for Marvel Comics Europe), depictions of fellatio on the CD itself, and front cover art that illustrates band members in a sea of pigs and youve got an impressive grind release. Fans of the genre would be wise to check out Balatonizer.
7.5/10
dill_the_devils Review of Balatonizer Occlused in Ottusity
Official Balatonizer Website
Official This Dark Reign Recordings Website
