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Released in Europe earlier this year, Cycles (Spinefarm, 2008) has finally hit the States. And hit it does. The record is a full-length exposition of ideas set out by 2006’s Consume to Contaminate EP: bulldozing grindcore, smooth shifting between tempos, a brief experiment with cello. 15 years into their career, Rotten Sound grind like clockwork. Now their Sunlight Studios-approved tones have professional production and compressed mastering. Cycles lives up to its name – it sounds like a huge engine in a huge vehicle. Crazed d-beats charge through “Blind”; “Colonies” is a mammoth group roar. The lyrics are amazingly articulate, with a global sweep: “Making a less-consuming working class in the West won’t help us at all when the South doubles the effects.” The Economist, down-tuned, at heart attack speeds – the time to grind is now.
Good stuff. The guitars sound like early Integrity on a crystal meth binge.
The perfect soundtrack for Lance Armstrong’s comeback. He’d finish the Tour de France in under 20 minutes if he has this on his iPod.
I can already picture the Yellow Wristband Deluxe CD/DVD reissue.
I’m not as deep into the genres as many of your readers, but this doesn’t sound like grind to me, but crustcore. Since I actually prefer to latter for listening (and like the former for its overall aesthetic), this sounds great to me, and thanks for posting!
I ordered this a couple weeks ago, and was checking out Encyclopedia Metallum to see if I had missed any of their albums (I remember them getting a lot of hype from their label for “Exit”, 3 years ago). And I was shocked to find out half the band was/is in …And Oceans. Whenever I talked with people about …And Oceans, I couldn’t find anyone that liked them. All I’ll say is that I have more …And Oceans albums than I do of Rotten Sound.
So I guess it was just a case of …And Oceans being a failed attempt at electro-metal or whatever, rather than the band being totally talentless. Anyway, …And Oceans changed their name to Havoc Unit. I think I may end up giving their new one a pity listen.
Oh man, I’d forgotten about the Havoc Unit/…And Oceans connection. What a mess. Rotten Sound is the way to go for these guys.
Ayo.
I seem to find myself coming back to this site through other ones every once in a while. I applaud you for expressing your opinion. After reading this post in particular, I was left wondering something though – why do you liken Rotten Sound to The Economist?
I will readily admit I am ignorant of details regarding The Economist, but are they not fiscally conservative?
Reversely from such tendencies, Rotten Sound are anti-capitalist.
It would be nice if you could help me clear up confusion. I mean no aggression in the expression of this comment.
Kaleb – Thanks for the kind words. Yes, The Economist is usually fiscally conservative, but it is often surprisingly environmentally sensitive and politically equitable. The specific quoted lyric is a sentiment The Economist would echo. I'm sure the band would disagree with the magazine on other matters.