Trenchgrinder "Peace Is Forfeit" CD

Descripción 4 page pull-out poster and expanded art by Bill Dozer.
The intro “Incursion” sets the stage for the following 30-ish minutes. A violent sound, weighted down by an atmosphere of grime, black smoke and blood. This sound is conjured up by fat and crunchy guitars supported by heavy drum bombardments.
Riffs are a mix of thrash style palm mutes and scandi-crust chord choices. Simple but effective riffing, reminding me of Amebix and similar stenchcore groups. Songs tend to shift between a few riffs that repeat for long periods. But the songs are thought out and they ebb and flow between up-to-mid tempos and breakdowns. Sometimes they deploy groovier riffs that sound similar to bands like Bolt Thrower and some Dismember. The parts are simple but Trenchgrinder throws enough ideas and arrangements around those riffs to make the song feel interesting and the listener enthusiastic. Leads are few and mostly consist of siren-like whammy bar assaults, long squeals and frantic note salads. The sound of the lead guitar is cold and with a thick reverb.
Drums are kept fairly straight and standard (as are the guitars) and often charge ahead with really fast double kicks beneath standard two-, or, four-time grooves. Even if they are void of flashy outburst they are always doing what's best for the song and particular riff. When the riffs call for it, they change up the patterns and add complexion to the bass drum patterns - adding more groove. The rest of the time those 16th notes are there like machine gun fire.
The murky and pummeling music is all well and good. The secret sauce to this album however must be the vocalist. Vocals by ‘Rundquist’ are phlegmy and surprisingly high-pitched for the sound and style. Other reviews have not been so impressed by the voice but I think that the vocals add vehemence and darkness to the album. With a more standard bark or low growl, (often found in bands that wallow in this crust-death metal mix) this album would be significantly weaker. Moments like in “For Knowledge of Blood” where the vocals pronounce the word ‘blood’ as “blUUd” in best mock-eastern-European-black-metal-snarls is A+. The vocals are hateful and truly project the evil in the lyrical theme.
If you enjoy crust, war metal or slower death-thrash, you’d be well advised to give this album a listen. This little album is like a brick to the face. Brutish and unrefined, but you pay attention, and its impact lingers once the disc has come to a stop.
Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWatELaKRE0&t=334s
Official promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjwpi_JMZS4&t=35s