BLAST PICKS: May 2021

Every month there’s a niggling fear that the quality of these releases will diminish. As it turns out, one positive thing about the world trying to eat itself like some Eldritch monstrosity is that it creates the furious grinding anger that fuels these short sharp shocks. Sun’s coming out guys, gals and non-binary pals, let’s crowd kill by the pool.

NOTHING CLEAN – Disappointment, Psycho Control Records

These Leicestershire hardcore kids have been prolific, producing a series of quality releases since 2014 and touring every basement, pub and house show that would take them. Disappointment is nothing like the title would suggest. The 34 tracks are the equivalent to standing on the motorway – vicious little blasts of noise floor you, but it’s the slower heavier moments that hit the hardest. The breakdown that closes High on Guilt is like a semi rolling over you.

If 34 tracks sounds epic in length, compared to various EPs and splits that are the bread and butter of Blast Picks. Fear not. There is no wasted energy here, just squealing feedback, superhuman drumming and vocals so vicious you’ll feel like sending them an apology afterwards.

SETE STAR SEPT – Bird, self-release

While Blast Picks isn’t the place for stereotypes, there is definitely something about Japan. Their brand of grinding violence just hits different. SETE STAR SEPT are a perfect example of this. Releasing so much material that’s there’s an album for every occasion, this duo bring jazz, death metal, noise and grind to the table, then flip the table and do something completely different.

Using just a bass guitar, some insane freestyle drumming and the disgusting vocals of Kae Takahashi, SETE STAR SEPT create the sort of off kilter noisegrind that becomes more incomprehensible on each listen. Just when you think you’re getting to grips with it, they throw in another curveball. Not one of the 14 tracks goes over a minute, yet each one is crammed with so many influences, so many styles, it would do them a disservice to try and break it down.

WOUND MAN – Jaw Bone Session, self-release

Massachusetts four-piece WOUND MAN sound like a sludge band played on fast-forward. From the otherworldly intro to Leashed, through to the awesome cover of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s Indifferent, they take no prisoners.

Dragging power violence back to its key ingredients, there’s short, savage blasts of neck snapping hardcore interweaved with crushing, slow tempo beatdowns. In just five minutes, these guys prove why you should be extremely excited for their next full-length.

HATRED SURGE – Grinding Reanimated Violence, Rescued From Life/625 Thrash

Defunct grinders HATRED SURGE are brought back to visceral life on this tape, compiling two very different performances from two different line-ups. First up is their performance from Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2010. The barebones production (with the drums just a touch too loud) only makes them sound all the rawer and more pissed off, and there’s hardly a moment to catch your breath as the feedback from one song cuts its way into the frenzied drumming of the next.

The second set, recorded at Le Flambeau in 2007, also features Jon and Jenson from IRON LUNG, and Ben from THE ENDLESS BLOCKADE. Thanks to the bolstered line-up, their sound is much more encompassing here, but they also favour the slower, beatdown heavy material. Not that there isn’t plenty of blasting for the grindfreaks out there. A testament to why HATRED SURGE are legends in the scene.

SLANT – 1집, Iron Lung Records

IRON LUNG were never one to stick to one genre, even in their own material, so it’s no surprise that their record label has become one of the most consistent places for bands always on the fringe. South Korea’s SLANT have all the speed and fury to warrant a place on Blast Picks, yet stylistically they favour straight up hardcore punk than grind or power violence.

That doesn’t make this 17-minute album any more exhilarating though. Yeji gives a powerhouse vocal performance but no one is slacking here. Each track is high energy and scathing, with the five-piece often sounding on the verge of collapse, and it’s backed up with a host of insanely catchy hooks. This will keep you coming back for repeat listens.

SKIRMISHER – Demo 2021, self-release

This rough and ready demo from Brisbane, Australia shows some serious promise. Taking on deforestation, capitalism, colonisation and politics across each brief track, this three-piece mix fast/slow power violence with some electronic flourishes. Nice duelling vocals, quick fire drumming and bass guitar riffs keep everything downtuned and nasty and it’ll be interesting to see where they go next. A five-minute reminder that it’s not just the wildlife that’s dangerous Down Under.

BODY FARM – Death On Two Wheels, So This Is Progress

A one-track bonus entry to this month’s Blast Picks. Kicking off with a Pee Wee Herman sample and going full throttle for the remaining 50 seconds, BODY FARM don’t miss a step with this thrashy, grinding single. Just over a year old and these guys are one of the most exciting bands in the US scene right now.

And that rounds off our next entry of Blast Picks! Be sure to keep posted to Distorted Sound as we bring your our next entry of all things grind and powerviolence very soon! To keep up to date with all our Blast Pick entries you can find them here.