Phobia

22 Random Acts Of Violence

Written by: AB on 16/12/2008 02:10:58

Hmmm, a grind album you say? Oh. Grind never really was my cup of tea. Atleast not traditional punk/hardcore rooted grindcore, with politically charged lyrics, super short songs, and the total noise inferno that is in the few seconds each song last. Grindy elements in other music I do enjoy though... Goregrind? You bet. Deathgrind? Hit me. Brutal death metal with grind influences? You know where to put it. Pornogrind? Oh yes. But I am not normally convinced by pure grindcore in itself.

So one totally objective album review coming up then? Not quite, it would seem. However, I shall do my best and try not to be too biased against Phobia here. "22 Random Acts Of Violence" is just that, 22 songs packed to the brim with "murderous socio political grinding noise assault" as the band itself subtly puts it. Phobia has been around since 1990 though, so I assume they know what they're talking about here. After a few seconds (after the sound clip intro to opener "Bring the War"), it's clear Phobia is spot on; it's grindcore alright.

Downtuned guitars, blast beats, hardcore-ish screams, roaring growls which don't really work, all done at 300 mph and straight in your face, plus movie sound clips. That's the basic formula, and one that is more or less kept throughout the whole album, however, when one gives this one a few spins, small different odds and ends are to be found. From the little slow piece (yes, really!) in "Nihilistic Grindcore" to the almost thrashy grinding in "Eyes of a Citizen" or "Blackened Day". Or take a look at the guitar in "Depression is a Killer" with its rocking riff, or the deathgrind of "Bring the War". Obviously, these are mere breaths of fresh air in the roaring storm that is the most of the album.

When one needs to hold your attention during a 1:20-1:30 minute long song, which seems to be the average track length, it is obvious something needs to happen; that it surely does in "22 Random Acts Of Violence". That however also means that on the majority of the tracks Phobia doesn't stray from the tried and tested grind cocktail, and as such doesn't manage to win me over with this release. It's on the longer songs, when there's space for something else than pure "murderous socio political grinding noise assault" that Phobia works the best.

Download: Sane, Blackened Day, Eyes of a Citizen
For the fans of: Napalm Death
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Release date 27.10.2008
Candlelight Records

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