Beaten to Death – Dødsfest! (Mas-Kina Recordings)
Friday, 27th September 2013
Just after we got done ranting about how grind might be a spent force creatively, here’s Norway’s Beaten to Death, reminding DR that perhaps there’s hope for the style. The follow-up to 2012’s well-received Xes and Strokes, Dødsfest! angles and spazzes in the same manner as its predecessor. It’s unpredictable, and largely devoid of the obese distortion that normally accompanies grind and/or crust bands as means to cover up for musical deficiencies. Beaten to Death can play, and they know a spicy grind hook when they see one.
The band’s guitar tone is starting to take singular, identifiable tone. With the gain turned down considerably, a noticeable twang pops up when B2D glides into those heart-attack grind fire drills. And as unique chord combinations start to congeal, melody enters the maelstrom, to noticeable effect, like on “Vulpes, Vulpes, Mustela Lutreola, Praedium, ” “True Norwegian Internet Metal Warrior,” a song we premiered just a few weeks ago, “The Flesh Prince With Swell Hair.” Talking about grind fun.
Working around the song titles, the band’s penchant for quick-witted numbers and tangled riffs is what makes Dødsfest! a winner. It’s in and out, something we’ve always recognized as one of the prime indicators of a good grind album. More than that, Beaten to Death have carved out their own niche, and in turn, are one of grindcore’s most promising new bands.
