Just Browsing: Relapse Round 2 Antigama, Dying Fetus, Minsk, & Pig Destroyer
By Jason Jordan
After a long break, here is the third installment of Just Browsing, which delivers rapid-fire reviews of albums that are connected in one or more ways. Last time I focused on records put out by Relapse. Same here. Due to the labels counterintuitive policy of not sending promos to most webzines, though, the only reviews youll likely read are those in print magazines, or, as Im about to demonstrate, in a webzine where a reviewer takes it upon himself to drum up interest for the bands.
Antigama Resonance
Relapse Records RR6755-2 May 15, 2007
Polish grind act Antigama return with their follow-up to the so-called full-length Zeroland, which found a home in Selfmadegod Records. Thankfully, Resonance is both longer and better. Also, they steer clear of noise interjections this time around, though a few tracks experiment rather than deliver razor-laced grindcore, but overall not enough to soften the impact.
Opener Pursuit is merely a taste of the abrasive, vicious grind that most of the 32 minutes offer. Occasionally, however, Antigama throw a curveball like in the jazzy, lounge-esque Barbapapex, slow skull crusher Psychonaut, and mellow interlude Shymrok. Otherwise Resonance is speedy and mean.
Fans of their fast, scathing labelmates Coldworker, Gadget, and Leng Tche will get along with these Poles just fine. Still, as far as grind-oriented Relapse bands are concerned, Fuck the Facts and Pig Destroyer reign supreme.
Official Antigama Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Dying Fetus War of Attrition
Relapse Records RR6704-2 March 6, 2007
Kind of like a faster Suffocation with Necrophagists guitar work, 2007 finds Marylands Dying Fetus unleashing their fifth long-player entitled War of Attrition. Ever politically-conscious, WoA is awash with other usual DF characteristics: chunky growls, meaty riffs, and brutal drums. On the whole, its a beefy slab of unessential death metal.
Sure, War of Attrition isnt amazing by any stretch of the imagination, but songs such as Homicidal Retribution, Fate of the Condemned, and Raping the System are impeccably solid. Nonetheless, as the album unfolds, theres a general sameness that takes over, though Insidious Repression, Unadulterated Hatred, and The Ancient Rivalry certainly possess traits that minutely separate them from the rest of the pack. Parasites of Catastrophe is recognizably slower at first, while closing number Obsolete Deterrence is not.
At 37 minutes, approximately, Dying Fetuss latest is neither too short nor too long. As a matter of fact, its length is just right, and partly because it doesnt drone on to the point of being numbingly dull, War of Attrition is an enjoyable listen. Theyre a good band, yet not necessarily one of the labels best.
Official Dying Fetus Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Minsk The Ritual Fires of Abandonment
Relapse Records RR6708-2 February 26, 2007
Having recently parted ways with At a Loss Recordings see the phenomenal Out of a Center Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive Minsks Relapse debut The Ritual Fires of Abandonment is another full-length of tribal post-hardcore with an affinity for drifting and crashing a hallmark of the Neur-Isis niche. On this go-around, however, the production is smoother, yet the songs manage to retain a sludgy edge. Even so, due to the overbearing amount of drifting, Ritual is a less interesting outing than its predecessor, but still good.
The 14-minute opener Embers sticks to the elements above, and really conjures a Neurosis feel during certain spots, as Minsk compositions often do. White Wings cuts to the chase, though, and begins flailing at the 30-second mark, while Mescaline Sunrise functions as a breather prior to the 15-minute, Isis-esque The Orphans of Piety. It is here, and in the 16-minute Ceremony Ek Stasis, that Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) lends his saxophone services to much success. Lamentably, The Ritual Fires of Abandonment suffers from drift overkill, or perhaps I more strongly prefer other Neur-Isis followers. In either case, Minsk eke out a shaky win with this one.
Official Minsk Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Pig Destroyer Phantom Limb
Relapse Records RR6717-2 June 12, 2007
Undoubtedly the most ferocious, eviscerating release of this here bunch is none other than Phantom Limb from the acclaimed Pig Destroyer. Still bass-less, this quartet brandish a caustic form of grindcore thatll rip your face off. Every facet of this album music, artwork, and lyrical content is superb, which once again launches PD to the top of Relapses current heap.
In observance of the grind rulebook, much of Phantom Limb is delivered at breakneck speed, and individual songs last only for a minute, or two, or three. There are soundclips, too, in addition to an inconsequential outro that is the unlisted, 15th track. After the intro, Rotten Yellow commences smashing the listener, while follower Jupiters Eye is just as furious and unrelenting. Deathripper, however, yanks the tempo back and forth, as does the longest track Loathsome, though the grooves in Heathen Temple cant be beat. The tail end isnt all a blast fest, for what its worth.
While Pig Destroyer cater to grind aficionados more than anyone else, Phantom Limb is the best record Relapse has put out this year. Their previous full-lengths were beasts, and so is this one. Get it.
Official Pig Destroyer Website
Official Relapse Records Website
By Jason Jordan
After a long break, here is the third installment of Just Browsing, which delivers rapid-fire reviews of albums that are connected in one or more ways. Last time I focused on records put out by Relapse. Same here. Due to the labels counterintuitive policy of not sending promos to most webzines, though, the only reviews youll likely read are those in print magazines, or, as Im about to demonstrate, in a webzine where a reviewer takes it upon himself to drum up interest for the bands.
Antigama Resonance
Relapse Records RR6755-2 May 15, 2007
Polish grind act Antigama return with their follow-up to the so-called full-length Zeroland, which found a home in Selfmadegod Records. Thankfully, Resonance is both longer and better. Also, they steer clear of noise interjections this time around, though a few tracks experiment rather than deliver razor-laced grindcore, but overall not enough to soften the impact.
Opener Pursuit is merely a taste of the abrasive, vicious grind that most of the 32 minutes offer. Occasionally, however, Antigama throw a curveball like in the jazzy, lounge-esque Barbapapex, slow skull crusher Psychonaut, and mellow interlude Shymrok. Otherwise Resonance is speedy and mean.
Fans of their fast, scathing labelmates Coldworker, Gadget, and Leng Tche will get along with these Poles just fine. Still, as far as grind-oriented Relapse bands are concerned, Fuck the Facts and Pig Destroyer reign supreme.
Official Antigama Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Dying Fetus War of Attrition
Relapse Records RR6704-2 March 6, 2007
Kind of like a faster Suffocation with Necrophagists guitar work, 2007 finds Marylands Dying Fetus unleashing their fifth long-player entitled War of Attrition. Ever politically-conscious, WoA is awash with other usual DF characteristics: chunky growls, meaty riffs, and brutal drums. On the whole, its a beefy slab of unessential death metal.
Sure, War of Attrition isnt amazing by any stretch of the imagination, but songs such as Homicidal Retribution, Fate of the Condemned, and Raping the System are impeccably solid. Nonetheless, as the album unfolds, theres a general sameness that takes over, though Insidious Repression, Unadulterated Hatred, and The Ancient Rivalry certainly possess traits that minutely separate them from the rest of the pack. Parasites of Catastrophe is recognizably slower at first, while closing number Obsolete Deterrence is not.
At 37 minutes, approximately, Dying Fetuss latest is neither too short nor too long. As a matter of fact, its length is just right, and partly because it doesnt drone on to the point of being numbingly dull, War of Attrition is an enjoyable listen. Theyre a good band, yet not necessarily one of the labels best.
Official Dying Fetus Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Minsk The Ritual Fires of Abandonment
Relapse Records RR6708-2 February 26, 2007
Having recently parted ways with At a Loss Recordings see the phenomenal Out of a Center Which Is Neither Dead Nor Alive Minsks Relapse debut The Ritual Fires of Abandonment is another full-length of tribal post-hardcore with an affinity for drifting and crashing a hallmark of the Neur-Isis niche. On this go-around, however, the production is smoother, yet the songs manage to retain a sludgy edge. Even so, due to the overbearing amount of drifting, Ritual is a less interesting outing than its predecessor, but still good.
The 14-minute opener Embers sticks to the elements above, and really conjures a Neurosis feel during certain spots, as Minsk compositions often do. White Wings cuts to the chase, though, and begins flailing at the 30-second mark, while Mescaline Sunrise functions as a breather prior to the 15-minute, Isis-esque The Orphans of Piety. It is here, and in the 16-minute Ceremony Ek Stasis, that Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) lends his saxophone services to much success. Lamentably, The Ritual Fires of Abandonment suffers from drift overkill, or perhaps I more strongly prefer other Neur-Isis followers. In either case, Minsk eke out a shaky win with this one.
Official Minsk Website
Official Relapse Records Website
Pig Destroyer Phantom Limb
Relapse Records RR6717-2 June 12, 2007
Undoubtedly the most ferocious, eviscerating release of this here bunch is none other than Phantom Limb from the acclaimed Pig Destroyer. Still bass-less, this quartet brandish a caustic form of grindcore thatll rip your face off. Every facet of this album music, artwork, and lyrical content is superb, which once again launches PD to the top of Relapses current heap.
In observance of the grind rulebook, much of Phantom Limb is delivered at breakneck speed, and individual songs last only for a minute, or two, or three. There are soundclips, too, in addition to an inconsequential outro that is the unlisted, 15th track. After the intro, Rotten Yellow commences smashing the listener, while follower Jupiters Eye is just as furious and unrelenting. Deathripper, however, yanks the tempo back and forth, as does the longest track Loathsome, though the grooves in Heathen Temple cant be beat. The tail end isnt all a blast fest, for what its worth.
While Pig Destroyer cater to grind aficionados more than anyone else, Phantom Limb is the best record Relapse has put out this year. Their previous full-lengths were beasts, and so is this one. Get it.
Official Pig Destroyer Website
Official Relapse Records Website
