MINDGRINDER
"Riot
Detonator" (Candlelight USA; 2005)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Norwegian melodic death metal clan Mindgrinder’s latest sample of sonic excess is an impressive album full of solid death metal fare.
While much of the band’s nine tracks sound like the bastard concoction of Testament and Morbid Angel, Riot Detonator's thrash and burn mindframe does tend to grow a bit weary after awhile. Despite the grinding instrumental interludes that lead into glorious guitar solos on tracks such as "Concept of Honesty" and the menacing death metal eminence both vocally and percussively throughout, Mindgrinder’s brutal assault is basically done by numbers.
For more information visit http://www.mindgrinder.com.
"MindTech"
(Candlelight USA / Nocturnal Art; 2004)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
With a name like MindGrinder and brutal images of technology for cover artwork it wasn't too hard to figure out that these Norwegians were about to prey upon my senses with a fierce brand of cyber metal. The reality is that bands like Prong and Fear Factory have spawned greater interest in the mechanized metal sound that has slowly become more popular over the past decade. Through bands like Samael, Zyklon, and Kovenant it's not too difficult to realize that more and more bands from Scandinavia are going to choose this particular style. Finland's MindGrinder are the latest to join the cyber metal frenzy.
The absence of a real human drummer was the first indication that "MindTech" was going to be a full-bore onslaught of highly technical metal. All the drums and percussion on "MindTech" were programmed – it gives the disc a fairly dry, clinical framework from which to function. On top of all that programmed mayhem is the sort of sturdy, precise, and surgical sound that the most intense black metal bands and pummeling death metal bands can elicit. There is a surprising amount of 'groove' and 'swing' to the songs despite the reliance on a drum machine. Additionally, the guitar solos have more of human, chaotic sound and style which actually gives "MindTech" some additional depth.
"MindTech" is a very cool release – it won't be something everyone likes, but it will be a near-essential pick-up for those of you who like the modern, cyber approach to heavy metal.
"MindTech" was produced by MindGrinder and Toby Akkerhaugen.
Mindgrinder: Cosmocrator on vocals, bass, and programming, Titan on guitar and backing vocals, and Nitrous on guitar.
For more information visit http://www.mindgrinder.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.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:01 -0500.
