Sunday, May 1, 2016

Magrudergrind "II" LP Relapse

Magrudergrind
"II"
Relapse
Released: February 12, 2016


The information on this record goes like this:

  • MAGRUDERGRIND, returns after a 6-year hiatus
  • Produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, High on Fire, Torche) at God City Studios
  • Mastered by Brad Boatright (Obituary, Nails)
  • Punishing hybrid of grindcore, powerviolence and hardcore punk
  • Unquestionably MAGRUDERGRIND's most crushing and abrasive material to date
All you really need to know is that this is music to F&#K S#!T Up to!!!! I lose my mind every time the needle hits the record or the digital ones and zeros start up. Magrudergrind II has a massive electrical connection with my brain. I see differently when Magrudergrind II is playing. My blood flows differently when Magrudergrind II is playing. There are visions in my head when Magrudergrind II is playing. 

F#%k!

Holy hell this rips!

Start to finish this crushes, even on "baby pink colored vinyl".

The feedback even makes me nutz!

That solo snare "pop-pop" in "Icaro". I've lost it... 



My go to travel music this year so far has been between Magrudergrind "II" and Gadget "The Great Destroyer". Magrudergrind to work, Gadget home from work. Life is just peachy!

Freakin' Joe Denunzio (Infest) has a brief guest spot on "Husayni-Handschar"... makes me wanna freakin' lash out! Damn!







Face to Face "Protection" LP


Face to Face
"Protection"
Fat Wreck Chords
Released: March 4, 2016


Fans of this legendary, melodic, pop-punk band need not worry that this album will suck. Seriously. I know, sometimes when a band has been around for awhile... you just figure the next one has to suck...

Seriously. Get the record. Get the vinyl. Don't worry.

Just take a listen. As a fan... as someone who treasures that first needle drop on the Dr. Strange LP "Don't Turn Away" (1992)... as someone who treasures that first time I saw them in Philly somewhere... and has treasured every record since... "Protection" stands up against the best Face to Face has offered in the last 25 years, stands up against the best of the genre. 




Produced by Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore means exactly what you think... pro sound, pro band... 




I love this record. A complete joy to listen to.

"Double Crossed" f&#king gives me chills. 

As soon as I listen to "Protection" once... I want to start the album all over again. Great record by a great band. Every song makes me feel like I am in that small club experiencing Face to Face again all over again for the first time. Blown away.

Thank you Face to Face.
Thank you Fat.

Cheers,
Frank FOE



Gadget "The Great Destroyer" LP


Gadget
"The Great Destroyer"
Relapse
Released: March 11, 2016

I don't own their previous two LPs, "Remote" (2004) nor "The Funeral March" (2006). I don't own their split with Phobia (2010). I heard the tracks on the Contaminated compilations, but I suppose I wasn't truly inspired to seek them out. I suppose I missed out along the way. But then again, I believe that it was my destiny to be properly introduced to Gadget through "The Great Destroyer". I find it hard to believe this isn't Gadget's crowning achievement, someone surely would have pushed their other releases down my throat if they were this great. Right!?!?!?



So hear you go. I want to push "The Great Destroyer" down your throat so in 2026 you can't blame me for not telling you about Gadget. 


Netherlands Deathfest 2016

I even bought Gadget's 2016 release, "The Great Destroyer" on gold vinyl. "The Great Destroyer" will be one of my favorite records of 2016. Undoubtedly. I have not listened to a record more in 2016 as of May 1, 2016 than this record. Bad day at work? The 27 minutes is almost exactly my commute time and "The Great Destroyer" destroys that horrible day. Obliterates it. If you are like me, grindcore/metal/hardcore/mayhem that is this magnificent, soothes your soul and transforms the negative madness into a positive madness.





William Blackmon - Guitar, Drums, Vocals
Rikard Olsson - Guitar
Emil Englund - Vocals
Fredrik Nygren - Bass

Check this video for "Enemies of Reason" from "The Great Destroyer"




Seventeen songs in twenty-seven minutes. 

Blistering, powerful, masterfully recorded, amazing, top of the line grindcore...

Mark "Barney" Greenway (Napalm Death) makes a guest appearance on "Violent Hours (For a Veiled Awakening)".





The five and a half minutes of "I Don't Need You/Dead and Gone" is precious. Bringing in something a bit different that the other tracks. 





Every song sounds perfect. The guitar riffs are sick. The drumming ideal. I want to play like that one day. The vocals... damn! Grooves to blast... this is all killer no filler. 



Thank you Gadget. Thank you Relapse.

Cheers,
Frank FOE