Band:	Chepang
Album:	Swatta
Style:	Grindcore
Release date:	July 07, 2023
Guest review by:	Cynic Metalhead

01. Asha
02. Avilasa
03. Ananta
04. Akash
05. Avismarinaya
06. Anurodh
07. Akanchya
08. Anumati
09. Ascharya
10. Anyol
11. Bid
12. Am
13. Ba
14. Na
15. JC
16. JGR
17. GC
18. BP
19. GHC
20. DIA
21. DMT
22. DK
23. TL
24. TC
25. A
26. I
27. F
28. T
29. W

Chepang, a grindcore outfit founded in 2016 and originating in Nepal, currently reside in New York with a 2-drummer, 5-person line-up that play jazz grind infused with dissonance, cacophony, and distortion in the form of fast, furious, and rumble-style tracks. In 8 years of existence, Chepang have released 3 albums, each separated by 3-year gaps, releasing their debut Dadhelo (A Tale Of Wildfire) in 2017 and latest output Swatta in 2023. This output, along with an additional EP and 3 splits, have positioned Chepang as the leading grindcore band from Nepal.

I acquainted with them while doing research on the Nepal Metal Scene, although it didn't make into the article as they had not yet blown up in the scene; however, I reconnected with the band 6 years later when listening to Chatta in 2020. My reaction was noise, noice, noize with a vocalist screaming, clamoring, spouting ear-bleeding rasps trying to emulate the hardcore punk singers from Minor Threat, Bad Brains to Black Flag, completely overshadowing the rest of the instruments trying to gel. On the contrary to the meaning behind Swatta, which means "smooth", this album's nature by is no means soft, mellow, or serene; rather it's a replica of the previous release.

Swatta runs for over 50 minutes, squeezing 29 tracks into 4 subsequent sections (sides A, B, C, and D). You don't often see that long a runtime for a grindcore release, as bands often execute razor-sharp riffs, jackhammering drumming, and strong bass exuding chaos and groove that entrench fans in awe in about half that time.

Side A comprises the first 10 tracks, embodying the essence of classical grind while venturing towards different genres. With songs running for one to two minutes each, it successfully delivers vibrant rhythms, complemented by luminous melodies amidst rapid tempos and intense tonality. "Anurodh" and "Anumati" exhibit echoes of melodic punk or post-hardcore, accelerated to a frenetic pace and interwoven with blast beats. Meanwhile, "Avilasa" exemplifies dynamic riffing reminiscent of the stylistic nuances of Converge or Plebeian Grandstand.

Side B is only four songs long, and embarks on an exploratory journey into more avant-garde realms. "Bid" opens with a fusion of moodier synths and electronic textures, as the sound gets denser as the album proceeds. The songwriting evokes a strong sense of psychedelic rock, with brilliant execution of saxophone giving us fascinating jams. While elements of grind and darker hardcore persist, "Am" stands as the sole track maintaining an amalgamation of metal and punk here. Notably, "Ba," one of the lengthier songs on Swatta at nearly six minutes, transitions from brisk, angular grind passages into some slower, sludgier breaks. Midway through, the saxophone again jumps back in for another fluid and noisy jam session. 

Side C and Side D bring a laundry list of guests as track names now trim down to a few "initials". Each song bursts with frantic grind and punk, such as in "GC," characterized by chugging goregrind and hints of death metal, or the dissonant riffing in "DIA", while "DMT" dazzles with technical virtuosity. In continuing a sonic assault, it further ensues "chaos", tearing apart the vocals with unsettling, eerie screams. I put down my headphones to see if my ears hadn't started bleeding yet. All safe, except my ear drums were reverberating.

If you love experimental grind with psychedelic jazz interludes, and occasionally enjoy the unique cybergrind style of Agoraphobic Nosebleed, this album should catch your interest. Chepang, while embracing fresh influences and creative approaches, has achieved significant success in the Nepali metal scene. However, to truly excel on the global stage, they may need to refine their distinctive sound, considering how niche this genre can be.

Head over here to play this sonicfest.

Highlights: "Anurodh", "Anumati", "Ba", and "GC"