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Rating: The global spread of extreme musical genres such as Grindcore and Death Metal is largely attributed to the record label "Earache Records," founded in England around the mid-eighties. This is a compilation that came out towards the end of 1994; the direct and uncompromising sonic extremism of the very first releases by the Nottingham-based label was starting to give way to more calculated and controlled approaches, without losing a single gram of power and "ear-hurting" attitude.
Seven bands are involved in this monumental collection: Entombed, Cathedral, Napalm Death, Godflesh, Bolt Thrower, Carcass, and Brutal Truth. Seven groups that have made the history of heavy music of the eighties and nineties but not only; two songs are featured for each band, totaling nearly an hour of music.
"Out Of Hand" by Swedish band Entombed fearsomely opens the compilation; the year before they released the album "Wolverine Blues" which marked the Death 'n' Roll turn of their sound. The song rests on the explosive drumming of Nicke and the catacombal growl of Lars, with the sound rising in intensity until the whirlwind finale where their characteristic crushing guitar sound takes over everything (for those interested, I recommend reading the so-called transgressive lyrics). Next are Cathedral led by Lee Dorrian, with a minute of sacred reflection, with the seventies Hard Rock played at full speed in "Midnight Mountain": it's Gary's Heavy guitar weaving such effective patterns that undoubtedly remind me of Black Sabbath from a few decades earlier.
There isn't a second of respite: the Grindcore-Industrial of "Plague Rages" by the masters Napalm Death creates further upheaval, then gives way to Justin Broadrick and his immense, cold creature known as Godflesh. "Xnoybis" is the long track, with the bass and guitar sounds repeated endlessly, creating an oppressive and claustrophobic sensation like only "Godflesh" could produce.
The warlike epicness of Bolt Thrower's "...For Victory" brings us back to territories closer to traditional Death Metal; and we arrive at "Embodiment" by Carcass. And here I would need a separate chapter to describe the "melodic" turn of the band formed by the two talented guitarists Bill Steer and Michael Amott, another moment of silent reflection given the importance of these two guitar legends. I'll just say that it's a song containing an infinite variation of tempos, patterns, and phrases, up to the final sound excitement with a guitar sound of rare beauty.
The first round closes with the scant two minutes of "Choice Of A New Generation" by Brutal Truth: another terrible blow, where Grindcore and Hardcore come together, creating a deadly sonic wall that destroys everything without mercy.
There are seven more tracks: discover them on your own, you won't regret it!!!
The only flaw, albeit a completely venial one, is the absence of another group that was making waves at the time: the morbid Morbid Angel who would certainly not have looked out of place with tracks like "Rapture" and "Pain Divine."
In subsequent years, "Earache" would release at least two more compilations with the same title, but none would come close to this first seminal release.
Ad Maiora.
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