Mammoth GrinderMammoth Grinder hail from Texas and have combined their previous releases on this one handy compact disc released by New Jersey label, Assassinated Records. You can definitely hear the sludge metal influence of the Southern States on this rough and abrasive hardcore album. Whether or not MG intends to have that sludge metal sound reminiscent of a band like Kylesa is beyond my knowledge, however, this record is at thick and dense as any hardcore record I've heard in sometime. Don't, however, think that this CD is completely sludge metal. The record for the most part, moves along with the frantic pace of a New York-style hardcore record but has an underlying sluggish drawl within the sound that just slowly pushes at its own pace, never holding back the vocals or lead guitars.
At times the songs will grind down to show-off nothing but that grinding, thick rhythm. I'm not so sure, I'm a huge fan of the mixing of NYHC and sludge metal. It works at times and fails miserably at other moments. I don't want to knock this band too hard, because I certainly don't hate this record…it just doesn't have anything favorable going for it and the alternating between speed and slow-motion wears on me after a few listens. Not a bad record, but nothing to get excited about either.
Rating: 2.5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "You're Wrong", "Dead Rednecks" & "Curse Breeder"
Synopsis: New York hardcore and Southern sludge metal mixed to lukewarm results. This may be some people's bag, but I wouldn't hang my coat on it. If you think you could get into something that mixes the aforementioned styles, then I recommend you check these guys out.