Don't Be Dumb, Listen To Two New Afgrund Tracks!

Hot on the heals of releasing the new Phobia full-length, "Remnants of Filth", Willowtip Records is about to drop the new album from Sweden's Afgrund. Entitled "The Age Of Dumb"(subtle), Afgrund dishes out 18 tracks of ripping, modern grindcore. I honestly haven't payed much attention to this band, since they seemed to me to be just a Rotten Sound/Nasum worship band. But, you know, I like those two bands, so there really shouldn't be a reason for me to hate on Afgrund. And the two new tracks that are streaming are definitely rippers, and have convinced me to look into this band further. Listen to them now and share what you think! You can pick up the album on July 31st.

~VII

Interview WIth Sebastian Rokicki (Antigama)

It's with great pleasure and an honer to bring you this exclusive interview with Sebastian Rokicki, the guitarist for one of my favorite grindcore bands, Antigama. We talk about the new line-up, what has been happening with Antigama the past couple years, and their excellent, new EP, "Stop The Chaos"(available now from Selfmadegod Records). This interview was conducted over email.

Operation Grindcore: It's been a few years since there's been any new Antigama material, and it appears that a lot has happened in the band since 2009. Can you give a brief run down of what happened after the release of "Warning"?

Sebastian Rokicki: Well... we went on European tour with Fuck The Facts and Dr.Doom after 'Warning' was released; then in May 2009 we came to the US for shows with Complete Failure. Later that year and a through the half of 2010 we took part in a few dramas as a live soundtrack band and played in theatres in Poland. It was completely different experience but very important for us as a band. In the beginning of 2011 we recorded the material for a split CD with Psychofagist from Italy. Everything was going great when the bad news came. Lucas' daughter was diagnosed with leukemia... We'd spent that hard time supporting our friend until his daughter got better. The year has passed and we have a new minialbum recorded. We're back.

OG: The band has gone through some very heavy line-up changes, including the departure of your long time drummer, Krzysztof Bentkowski. Why did he leave the band?

Sebastian: He did not leave the band. I asked him to leave. Krzysiek is a very good and original drummer but a very tough partner in the band. After 11 years of playing together his conditions were unacceptable. 

OG: How did your new drummer, Pawel Jaroszewicz, join the band? I'm sure his impressive resume of bands he's been in was a big deciding factor. 

Sebastian: Pawel and Antigama happened to rehearse in the same building. To be honest, it came pretty naturally. I asked him if he would be interested and he was. And his experience in a band like Vader is a very positive factor for us.

OG: This year also sees the recorded return of founding vocalist, Lukas! Something that I'm very excited about. How did he get back into the band?

Sebastian: Thanks! Lucas is a monster on vocals. I love the way he does all the stuff and I'm very happy he's in the band again. All that time he had been very close to us but just busy with lots of things. He's been back in the band since 2010 to be precise...

New Sea of Shit Songs!

One of my favorite modern powerviolence outfits, and the band that put out my favorite EP of last year, are back in action and bringing the hate and filth with three new songs from their upcoming split 7" with Chicago dwellers, Consent. Back after a very brief hiatus after losing their guitar player, Mike. Fortunatly though, they decided to continue on, though they have hinted at these being their final songs. Hopefully that's not the case, but worry about that later. Until then, check out the new songs now!

~VII

Bandcamp Artist Of The Week: Damaged Goods

This is a long long long long LONG overdue post. This here demo from Damaged Goods, my homies from NJ, is a top-notch, excellent, mosh-pit-bloodbath-inducing piece of hardcore. Professionally recorded and played by two young kids with the utmost knowledge and respect for hardcore and powerviolence of all kids, and it definitely shows; the songs on here showcase influences ranging from the discordant(Irong Lung, big influence on the riffs), to the beatdown. Fans of bands like Punch, Spazz, and the previously mentioned Iron Lung should definitely listen to this. These guys play a lot of shows, and hopefully will be recording later this year. Keep a look out, best young band going right now! Be sure to follow them on their Facebook too.

~VII

Powercup/Pizza Hi-Five - Split 10" Review

If you are a well-versed grindcore fan, stumbling upon a split between two bands called "Powercup" and "Pizza Hi-Five", respectably, should immediately make you turn away. If you're judging by first impressions alone, there's no way this split could be anything but hilariously awful. However, if you were at the time into getting a quick chuckle or two, you might actually take the time to spin the record. And, you might actually find out that both the bands are actually really damn good! Fortunately, I've been a fan of both of these bands for a while prior to this coming out, otherwise I probably would have slept on this, admittedly because of the goofy aesthetic, judge me if you will.
So first up we have Powercup, a Canadian duo who's whole schtick is lyrics based on powertools and home renovation. Wait, come back! I swear this is non-ironically awesome! Powercup's side is some of the most enjoyably fun grindcore I've heard all year. How can you not enjoy a band with songs about Tim Allen("From criminal to renovator/from criminal to renovator"), or telling you the benefits of taking a lunch break("Lunch break/eating is important/lunch break/food is good")? It's hilariously dumb, and has enough kick ass music to back it up! The music on here is simple, catchy, and oh so enjoyable. And it has an excellent, bassy recording. If I did have one minor complaint, it's that the performances on here are very loose and sloppy, like the band is having a hard time keeping up with itself. Honestly though, for music like this, it doesn't really matter.
Now, Pizza Hi-Five and me have a history. Back when I was just getting into underground grindcore a few years ago, I was big into the Ohio scene, where Pizza Hi-Five come from. They were one of my favorites out of the bunch, and I've really blown away about how much attention and praise the band is getting. I think it's excellent and well deserved! Also a duo, PHF play fast as fuck, and heavy as fuck mince/grind. Like if you took all your Archagathus and Agathocles records and slowed them down as well as speeding them up. That's a grindcore zen riddle for you, right there. But I digress, Pizza Hi-Five, like Powercup, are instantly enjoyable and likable. Definitely more of a visceral band, with a guitar sound as thick as molten mozzarella cheese. But, they still do let some silliness slip out; handclaps, some squeaky-falestto-ish vocals, and song after song about smoking that sweet, green herb.  I honestly can't say anything bad about this split, it's really damn good. I definitely suggest everyone checks this out, and keeping an eye on these bands. MINCE! RENOVATE! SMOKE! RAHHH!




Rating: 8.5/10

~VII

Download Some New Cloud Rat Tracks Fo' Free!

Your favorite Michigan grind trio, the wonderful Cloud Rat, have just put up their side of their upcoming split LP with Republic of Dreams for free download. Six tracks this time around; still heavy, still moody, still intense, it's everything I have come to love and expect from Cloud Rat. The split should be available sometime next month, and and in addition, a split with Orgullo Primitivo and a 2nd full-length entitled Moksha are nearing completion. Holy shit, right? These guys are busy busy busy. Download the tracks here and support Cloud Rat!

~VII

A Couple Short Reviews

Death Of Self - "Mental Disintegration": I would like to graciously thank Ethan, the singer from Death of Self, for emailing me and telling me about this new project. With all my heart, I thank you. This new EP, "Mental Disintegration", from the Denver, CO grind trio is the total package when it comes to visceral, gut shredding grindcore. The recording is a deliciously raw/polished mix; big, fat guitar sound, crushing riffs that occasionally go into discordant territory, and some well places stops and starts. Also, people in the know should immediately singer/guitarist Ethan Lee from Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire(long band name is long), and he dishes out proper vocal brutality. Dude sounds like a fucking animal. Seriously, Ethan is a straight up beast. The sludge/doom influences from CTTTOAFF present themselves on this EP now and again, but they're are thankfully kept to somewhat of a minimum and worked into the unrelenting, blasting grind chaos tastefully and naturally. Killer EP, pray for a physical release soon!

Revengeance - "John Q. Citizen": I don't get exposed to much hardcore from Portugal, so discovering Revengeance is a real treat for me. Fast hardcore with some 90's-era flavors is the name of the game here, 3-chord riffs and breakdowns blended in with fast tempos and some occasional blast beats, all captured in an excellent recording. I can see fans of bands like Extortion and Infest getting down with these guys pretty hard, and while I am a big fan of both those bands, there's on thing keeping me from really loving this EP; the female vocals. Hate me of you want, but I am rarely rarely RARELY a fan of male vs. female vocal deliveries when it comes to powerviolence/hardcore. Especially if her vocals are high pitched and cleanly sung, which they are here. It's like oil and water to me, it just doesn't mix. Didn't work for me with Hatred Surge, didn't work for me with Despise You and it doesn't feel right here. Overall though, it's a good EP worth checking out.

~VII