MAMMOTH GRINDER – Undying Spectral Resonance

vote
7.0

• Bands:
  MAMMOTH GRINDER
• Duration: 00:14:13
• Available from: 11/15/2024
• Label:

• Relapse Records

Streaming not yet available

After a long silence, death metallers Mammoth Grinder return to be heard with “Undying Spectral Resonance”, an EP which, despite only fifteen minutes in length, manages to capture the attention of those who thought the group had now vanished.
Led by Chris Ulsh, known for his work with Power Trip and Innumerable Forms, the American project returns with the aim of carving out a new space in the underground scene, putting together a handful of songs which, while remaining faithful to the Mammoth style Grinder of the latest works, it seems to possess a renewed momentum and vitality that was missing from the previous “Cosmic Crypt”.
Here too, Mammoth Grinder continues to focus on extremely simple and direct structures, keeping in the background that hardcore-punk component that has always been in Ulsh's DNA. The choice to explore such a linear territory might seem limiting, even more so after a not too exciting last rehearsal, but the American multi-instrumentalist and singer manages to keep the attention alive thanks to riffs which on this occasion are particularly fun and engaging, transmitting an almost insolent energy. At times one cannot help but think of Repulsion, an inevitable reference for anyone looking for a proto-death metal sound rooted in the late Eighties, but, in addition to other almost obvious references such as Autopsy and Nihilist, the name that is most often in mind is that of Nicke Andersson's Death Breath, to which the project seems to refer several times in its reinterpretation of certain ultra old school death metal on very simple structures.
In this concentration of rudeness, an episode like “Call from the Frozen Styx”, an instrumental interlude that stands out for its use of synths and effects, seems a little out of place. Despite the atmospheric intent, the track is a little too verbose and risks interrupting the fast pace of the EP. It could have been an intriguing break, but its duration ends up diluting the intensity of the overall work. Thankfully, Ulsh immediately takes control again with the following songs, bringing the listener back into the welcome vortex of caveman riffs and pounding percussion.
Wanting to remain as simple as the content of this return, we can ultimately say that “Undying Spectral Resonance” is an EP which, although short, leaves its mark, perhaps also and above all due to its compactness. Interlude aside, with its few minutes of duration it flows pleasantly, concentrating some of the best riffs of the band's repertoire in a few, very effective, songs. A blitz that smacks of rebirth for a band that seemed to have disappeared into oblivion.