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March 19, 2024


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Otophobia
Malignant (Slap-A-Ham)

By: Jeb Branin

Although I don't know if I will ever recover emotionally of psychologically from the trauma caused by the fact Slap A Ham Records is closing up shop, I can take some small comfort in this, their final release. I was born in Pittsburgh so it ruffles my feathers a bit to admit a band haling from Philadelphia is great, but I'm a man, I can do it. OTOPHOBIA are a solid mix of grindcore and crust. One song they will be tearing through a track sounding like PHOBIA's little brother (a brother Otto, perhaps?) then the next song will be rife with classic hardcore riffing and gargled vocals so crusty you can almost smell the halitosis. Lyrically the band forgo socio-political ranting and focus on follies and foibles closer to home. The decry every type of scene idiot you can think of... the tough guys, the hypocrites, the posers, the drunks, etc. There are 21 tracks in just under 30 minutes that range in length from three seconds to over four minutes, with most clocking in around the one minute mark. The vinyl version of this is on Deep Six and, as you know, I always recommend you get the wax, but with all apologies to Bob and Christine at Deep Six, this is the last damn SAH release ever. What kind of complete chowderhead would NOT buy this? Certainly nobody reading this zine is that stupid.
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