Rough Edge: Balatonizer CD Reviews

BALATONIZER

"Occlused in Ottusity" (Dark Reign; 2004)

After doing this gig for nearly six years I'd figured I'd have a lot more grindcore in my collection. But that hasn't been the case. Aside from the obligatory Napalm Death, Carcass, and Brutal Truth albums to cover the genre's early days along with the likes of fairly recent acts like Pig Destroyer and Nasum there hasn't been much to truly obsess over regarding grindcore.

After listening to Balatonizer's "Occlused in Ottusity" I can't quite say that the band can join the ranks of the five bands I mentioned in the previous paragraph. But I can surely declare that Balatonizer as better than most.

Balatonizer read like a Carcass cover band in terms of song titles, but come off more like a mid-paced version of grindcore that pays homage to the genre's roots while avoiding the dreaded "a grindcore band is only as good as their slow parts" tag. Overall, Balatonizer's mid-paced style approaches death metal's blueprint, but the songs' brevity and super guttural vocals keep the music grounded in grindcore's ethic. Thirty-two tracks blaze by in just over 25 minutes.

If I had to choose a single word to describe Balatonizer's "Occlused in Ottusity" I'd use 'solid.' Given the band's choice of grindcore as their raison d'etre 'solid' isn't bad. If you like grindcore Balatonizer will be worth a listen; however, if you're not a fan of grindcore "Occlused in Ottusity" won't do much to change your opinion of the genre.

A bonus in the form of a video for the track "Muscular Prevarication" is included.

"Occlused in Ottusity" was produced and mixed by Balatonizer.

Baltonizer: Mario Musumeci on vocals, Marco Failla on guitars and programming, and Rodan di Maria on bass.

For more information visit http://www.balatonizer.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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