The first question you could ask me is "how could anyone endure forty-five minutes of pummelling grind in one sitting?". Easy like cheesy peas, two answers:
- intelligence in song-writing,
- variation in style and pace.
- variation in style and pace.
These are the two most remarkable features of this album. This isn't your usual "fuck-me-with-a-rusty-knife-with-a-dull-blade" grindcore. Indeed, these British young men play a rather rare blend of genres such as sludge, hardcore punk and grind. This richness of sound makes each song memorable and allows it to develop in its own unique way. Everything is there: groovy head-bobbing songs, fast and angry-punk driven ones, heavy time-stretching sludgy riffs in longer pieces, as well as a ballad - yes a ballad, a brutal ballad by the title of "Admit Defeat".
I wouldn't be much of a reviewer if I didn't point out Jeff Walker (Carcass) and Mitch Harris' (Napalm Death) contribution to Mechanical Tides, as both were nice enough to sacrifice a little bit of their vocal cords to help these guys get a little recognition. I'll let you decide whether it was crucial and memorable, but it does give you an idea to whom Corrupt Moral Altar look up to.
I don't want to get
So pull out the fingers from your ears and let the "gentle-love-making-with-a-sharp-and-just-about-filthy-enough-knife" grindcore play, right here.
