Reviewed - 06/28/04
Imperialism
[Willowtip Records]
This is grindcore to its fullest extent. From the 2-minute long songs to the fastest timing possible, these grinding fiends do a great job at creating a slab of utter brutality. Riffs go in and out, vocals go from a sick scream to sub-human guttural gore-growl, and drumming that is faster than two hands should play. But if that didn't cry out that they are a grindcore band, they had Pig Destroyer's Scott Hull take care of the mixing. While mixing can't affect the sound of the CD too much, Hull's influence is most obvious in the sound production and song writing style. Imperialism is pretty much an intermediate version of Pig Destroyer's Prowler in the Yard (which is my all-time favorite grindcore album). This is a great album to quench your grind appetite while you wait for Pig Destroyer's new album.
While this isn't the most original disc in the world, it does a couple of things very well. Vulgar Pigeons have impeccable timing; each turn in every song is done in one of the most fluid ways. It is this type of riff blending/rhythm matching that makes this disc worth owning. Often times, grindcore bands seem to just through some riffs in behind some blastbeats and scream and call a minute and 30 seconds a song. While Vulgar Pigeons rarely pass the dreaded 2-minute mark, they at least form complete musical ideas and have the most song structure you can get from a grindcore band. If you are looking for melodies and harmonies look somewhere else, but if you want pure brutality with the feeling of actual songs, this is the album to get.
I also appreciate the lyrical direction of Imperialism. With so many grindcore bands following the Carcass path of pure descriptive gore, it is nice to see a more Napalm Deathian band that takes a political approach to lyrics. While the lyrics aren't written, the artwork, song titles and Paul's, the vocalist, notes indicate the bands message. Their message maybe one of the most mature from any grindcore band; they are activists for ending the war between Palestine and Israel. They don't take any side of the conflict; they just want to end the battle on both sides. I find this far more mature than the anti-establishment politics of most bands.
Overall, Imperialism is a great album that simply lacks the creativity I've become accustom to from some of the grindcore giants.
[Willowtip Records]
This is grindcore to its fullest extent. From the 2-minute long songs to the fastest timing possible, these grinding fiends do a great job at creating a slab of utter brutality. Riffs go in and out, vocals go from a sick scream to sub-human guttural gore-growl, and drumming that is faster than two hands should play. But if that didn't cry out that they are a grindcore band, they had Pig Destroyer's Scott Hull take care of the mixing. While mixing can't affect the sound of the CD too much, Hull's influence is most obvious in the sound production and song writing style. Imperialism is pretty much an intermediate version of Pig Destroyer's Prowler in the Yard (which is my all-time favorite grindcore album). This is a great album to quench your grind appetite while you wait for Pig Destroyer's new album.
While this isn't the most original disc in the world, it does a couple of things very well. Vulgar Pigeons have impeccable timing; each turn in every song is done in one of the most fluid ways. It is this type of riff blending/rhythm matching that makes this disc worth owning. Often times, grindcore bands seem to just through some riffs in behind some blastbeats and scream and call a minute and 30 seconds a song. While Vulgar Pigeons rarely pass the dreaded 2-minute mark, they at least form complete musical ideas and have the most song structure you can get from a grindcore band. If you are looking for melodies and harmonies look somewhere else, but if you want pure brutality with the feeling of actual songs, this is the album to get.
I also appreciate the lyrical direction of Imperialism. With so many grindcore bands following the Carcass path of pure descriptive gore, it is nice to see a more Napalm Deathian band that takes a political approach to lyrics. While the lyrics aren't written, the artwork, song titles and Paul's, the vocalist, notes indicate the bands message. Their message maybe one of the most mature from any grindcore band; they are activists for ending the war between Palestine and Israel. They don't take any side of the conflict; they just want to end the battle on both sides. I find this far more mature than the anti-establishment politics of most bands.
Overall, Imperialism is a great album that simply lacks the creativity I've become accustom to from some of the grindcore giants.
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Tracklist:
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| Rating: 7/10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Release Date: 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: 26:24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Review By: D. Thomas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Reviews: (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bands Website: Go Here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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