Various Artists
Earplugged 2

"New School meets the Old School...Head on!"

The subtitle of this compilation, released by Earache Records at a consistently reduced price in September 1997, already says it all. The old masters of Death Metal-Grindcore meet the new generation in a sort of showdown to the last extreme note; in my opinion, with an entirely predictable outcome in favor of the former!

The first five songs, all belonging to the old school, immediately wipe out any attempt at competition.

The founding fathers of musical extremism were chosen to kick off the compilation; Napalm Death in their most controlled moment with the track "Breed To Breathe." Dense guitars, cavernous yet intelligible growl, and a syncopated drum beat. For someone, a song to hum in the shower (ask "gate" for confirmation). The Cathedral with their Heavy-Doom Sabbathian track "Stained Glass Horizon"; the Hard Rock of Carcass with "Keep On Rotting In The Free World," featuring the usual surgical work on six strings; the Death Metal bullet of At The Gates with the very fast and brief "Blinded By Fear; the black Industrial infused with Dub moods of Godflesh in "Circle Of Shit." An impressive top five that weighs the scales in favor of the professors.

The new generation tries to respond with "Strangled" from the techno extremists Ultraviolence; a rave-party eardrum-splitting track that leaves me more than puzzled given who I've just discussed above. There’s also space for the Reggae of "Strike It" by Dub War, with a rap vocal poorly backed by a sharp and noisy guitar sound; Pulkas and Iron Monkey continue with lackluster tracks that unfortunately induce drowsiness. No chance: thumbs down for all these young bands.

Thankfully, towards the end, it returns to hitting hard, spitting blood thanks to Entombed with "Stranger Aeons." A song containing all the sadistic features of a sound that made history: catacombal vocals, demonic drums, crushing old-school guitars emphasized to whip the listener.

The forty seconds of "Damage 381" by Extreme Noise Terror closes the work: vintage Grindcore reminiscent of the monumental Discharge. With the heartfelt participation in the offensive singing by Mark "Barney" Greenway of Napalm Death.

Professors 5 stars; new generation 2.5 (and I wanted to be generous).

Ad Maiora.