Catheter/F.U.B.A.R. "split" CD
[Selfmadegod]
First up on this split is Catheter from Denver, CO - blasting through eight tracks (under the heading "Conspiracy Control") of grind in less than 10 minutes. The tracks are pretty straightforward aside from some occasional dissonance, making use of moderate speeds and a few more obvious hardcore/punk influences as well as numerous degrees of vocal tradeoffs between growling and shouting. The best part is that the basslines totally kill (raging all over the place) and play a huge role right alongside the guitars, and the recording is pretty damn crisp as well. "Blazes of Black" has some of the largest shifts in tempo, while "My Life" opens with some quirkier riffing before plowing into an almost power violence-esque passage and vicious breakdown. The lyrics are a mixed back dealing with everything from fashion invading the underground to riding bicycles to conspiracies and corporate bullshit: "What is it that makes society strive to get bigger and better things, And all for the name of envy, all for the name of excess, The daily grind..." Good stuff. Next up is F.U.B.A.R. (Holland) with 15 tracks in 17 minutes (under the heading "Draw the Line"), more grind. Their recording is a slight bit heavier, the vocals deeper growls/higher screams, but the speeds are similar (just more constant in most cases). This material is definitely more in your face, lacking the catchiness that I enjoyed so much in Catheter's material, but it's still strong. "Mind Shit" is definitely among the most memorable tracks, as is the brief yet immensely powerful "Scars". The lyrics are bitter as fuck and deal with political corruption, senseless violence, war, etc. "Preach to destroy, Take away innocence, Glorify the warrior, Sick of inhaling your suffocating hatred, Sick of your ego, Sick of your bullshit gods, Blood for blood, there's no peace..." Most of the layout is done in black and white with some cool cover art, all of the lyrics, etc. I'm fine with the presentation here. This is a good split. I haven't been checking out too much true grindcore lately, so this hit the spot. Well done. (7/10)
Running time - 26:27, Tracks: 23
[Notable tracks: Chained By a Belief, My Life, Novelty, Snitch, Mind Shit, Scars]
Selfmadegod Records - http://www.selfmadegod.com

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