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Rating:
THE REVIEW
When "variante alla morte" was released, I was puzzled. It had taken me quite some time to get used to "Desperately insensitive", an album I managed to love only after many, many listens. The shift towards a more metal and technical sound initially left a bitter taste in my mouth, and it was only later that I understood that Cripple hadn't changed in essence but had merely shed their skin. However, with the release of the new CD, there was a bit of fear. But no.
Because "variante alla morte" is a Moloch, a monumental anthem to grindcore, desperation compressed within tubes, guts flushed down the toilet, the insane fear of the clock. And Giulio's neurasthenia shouting all this through the album's tracks. The malaise is palpable, aching like a bruise. "Stupro e addio" is the cruelest and most negative piece that an extreme band has ever written, but Giulio's lyrics are to be read carefully, profound and tinged with lyricism. There isn't one piece better than another in my opinion, as "variante alla morte" constitutes a unique block made of intensely violent tracks that in some ways remind of "misantropo..." even though here the production is professional and the sound is slightly closer to Scandinavian bands (nasum, sayyadina...) but also to early Brujeria... but let's be clear, these are barely veiled influences because everything from start to finish is tremendously Cripple Bastards.
What else to say? That they are among the best grindcore bands in the world? Surely! By now, their album of thrash and hc covers has been released, and I haven't heard it yet; it would be nice to talk about it a bit here...
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Summary by Bot
The review praises Cripple Bastards’ album Variante Alla Morte as a monumental grindcore work filled with intense emotion and technical prowess. Initially challenging, the album reveals its depth over repeated listens. It is described as a unique, violent block of tracks with profound, lyrical lyrics and high-quality production. The band’s identity remains intact despite stylistic evolution.Tracklist Videos
Cripple Bastards
Cripple Bastards are an Italian grindcore band from Asti, formed in 1988 by Giulio The Bastard and Alberto The Crippler. Pioneers of extreme hardcore/noise/grind in Italy, they are known for ultra-short, ferocious songs and provocative, multilingual lyrics.08 Reviews
Other reviews
By casamorta
"One listens to grindcore because it’s a genre akin to pure art: provocative and ignorant, raw, violent, and ultimately cathartic."
"I have loved, love, and will love Cripple Bastards to death... but I despise the cowardly, and I rate 4 out of 5, even though my heart cries..."
