4 Shocking Terror

ZENI GEVA - 10,000 Light Years

For the umpteenth time I'm simply gonna plagiarize myself: Tokyo's three-man demolition unit known as Zeni Geva sound like Slayer with their nuts on fire. KK Null's geetar-shreddin' and commanding bellow will pummel you into whimpering subservience. He fires off relentless salvos of distortion-caked licks that owe as much to Masayuki Takayanagi's inhuman excursions into skronk as they do to Chuck Schuldiner's most unhinged work with Death ("Scream Bloody Gore" for instance). For people who care about such things, Steve Albini consistently works with these guys-- my guess is because it's the closest he'll ever come to brushing against True Greatness. Speaking of which, I'll sum up by nicking a line from thee brilliant Jaz Coleman: "This is music to march to."

In comments.


GRAVE/DEVIATED INSTINCT/DEVOLUTION - Split CD


The rarest of "splits" (doesn't split mean half? I guess "third" sounds kinda stupid)-- one where all three bands involved deliver gasp-inducing, ear-ravaging assaults. First up, we've got Visby, Sweden's Grave. They are nothing less than a death metal institution, releasing album after album of mid-paced, crushing riffage and guttural vox since 1988. Although they've never quite reached the hallowed status of peers/countrymen like Entombed and Dismember, to these ears, they've been far more consistent. The four skull-smashers featured here are embryonic versions of classics that appeared on an 1989 promo disc, as well as various singles. They would re-emerge, fully formed, on the landmark LP, "Into the Grave" and their bruising live set, "Extremely Rotten Live." That trademark buzzsaw guitar sound so closely associated with Scandi-Death of the era is already developed, even at this early stage.

Next, we have Norwich, UK's foremost "Stenchcore" (apparently cuz standing in too close of proximity to these lads was not kind to the proboscis) purveyors, Deviated Instinct. These tracks made their debut originally on the "Nailed" EP-- in fact, D.I. weren't on the vinyl version of this slab, but for whatever reason were added to the CD press. They had, by this point, all but abandoned their unique brand of sloppy hardcore (heard to best effect on the "Rock & Roll Conformity" LP), for a more metallic, Celtic Frost/Hellhammer approach-- vocalist Rob "Mid" Middleton even approximates Tom G. Warrior's "Auugghh's" and "Heeeey's". Go see the lovely & talented Irish Dave for more-- he might even spin a yarn or two about 'em for ya.

Lastly we have another trio of blokes from the UK (Comer Gardens, Worcester, to be precise), short-lived thrash/death combo, Devolution. The three cuts on display here are their entire recorded output-- supposedly the countless delays to bring this release to fruition left 'em pretty disenchanted with the biz. They bring to mind Holland's godly Asphyx-- although vocalist Neumeier can't begin to compare with the strangulated croak of Martin Van Drunen (no one can), they supply some occasionally technically-minded thrash tempered with the more bombastic elements of old school death metal. A pity they didn't stick around-- woulda been interesting to see what they (d)evolved into.

The Goods:

Grave
1. Into the Grave
2. Reborn Miscarriage
3. Eroded
4. Putrefaction Remains
Deviated Instinct
5. Open Wound
6. Slow Death Suck
7. Void
8. Listen to the Sirens
Devolution
9. Mediocracy
10. Negate (This Aftermath)
11. Condemnation/Manipulation

Duh- In comments.