Priapus/Old Painless - Split Review

This is one of those releases that can really help a band break through from the underground into significantly more well known territory. A split release where both bands recordings are so good, that people will have no choice but to stop what they're doing and pay attention. These two relatively unknown North Carolina bands have teamed up to bring us truly, the first great split of 2012.

I was one of the people who slept on Priapus's 2011 release "Air Loom", but after hearing the 3 songs on here, consider me a definite fan! BRUTAL technical deathgrind; mixing the very best musical qualities from bands like Malignancy and Maruta(definitely Maruta), with more hardcore/Richard Johnson sounding vocals which help give Priapus a refreshing sound compared to the rest of the bands of this genre. The Maruta comparisons are pretty much unavoidable because honestly, this band sounds pretty much identical to the recently disbanded band. So much so that Priapus can pretty much feel free to reclaim the throne that Maruta left vacant a few months ago. The musicianship is stupidly good, highly technical riffs with very well timed breakdowns and occasional crushing slow riffs. Guitar players will listen to this and instantly lose confidence in there abilities. Truly top notch grinding right here. 

On the flip-side is Old Painless, playing a more spazzy and noisier(as in there are noise samples in the mix) take on the grind genre. Though not spazzy in the same way bands like The Locust(they're not grind, just using them as an example) are, but more in the same vein as a band like Psychic Limb. Undeniably keeping the punk and edge to their grinding sound, but adding enough strange guitar riffs and sounds to keep things interesting throughout. CRAZY vocals too! Like, Cloacal Kiss/The Afternoon Gentlemen type of crazy. Vocalists that can scream in this high a register get a bravo from me just for shredding their throat up this much for the sake of their band. If I did have one complaint though, it's that there side seems very short. Like there's not a whole lot of music there type of short, ya know what I mean? The first track serves more as an intro, and the last half of the closing song is just feedback. Minor complaint, just nitpicking, don't listen to me. In closing, bands this good can't be ignored for long, and these guys are gonna get some serious recognition soon, so watch out! Listen/download/purchase the 7" here(Priapus bandcamp) and here(Old Painless bandcamp). 

Rating: 9/10

~VII