Very harsh, yes, but these guys do have moments of melody contained within them. The first three songs are mostly your typical metal scream and play loud type songs, but "Butcher" showcases a band with a lot of metal influences that isn't afraid to show their more melodic side. The bass helps lead the song, in conjunction with the vocals, and once the guitar and drums are thrown in, the outcome is a brutal song that has the power the listeners want, but also some melody that helps you get into the music and really start to see inside of it. "Freezer," although it has more in common with the beginning metal-rock stuff, it also has a punk touch to it, which I found more stomach-able than their usual metal stuff.

One thing is for sure, here is a band metal fans can be proud of. If you're not a metal head though, will this appeal to you? Well, there are moments that will be drawing, but overall the record comes off as just another metal band. I'll give this album a C+.

Grind: Best Of

Grindstone: Grindstone

[Issue Ten // July 1998]