Search - Phobia :: Cruel

Diverse, focused, and hard-hitting

cosmokane31 | San Francisco, CA United States | 04/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phobia formed in Orange County, CA in 1990, and has become a grindcore institution. Over a slew of 7"s, EP's, and albums, the band has served up socially aware, old-school grindcore in the vein of early Nasum and Napalm Death. Innovation isn't what Phobia is about, but wrecking shop is, and "Cruel" is perhaps the band's hardest punch to date.



One big reason is new drummer Danny Walker. Walker is versatile, having played with gore-grinders Exhumed and art pop band Cinema Strange, and recently delivered a nuanced, powerful performance on Intronaut's "Null" EP. Here, Walker plays exactly what is appropriate, whether it be blastbeats, thrash beats, ripping fills, or slow grooves. The performance is tight and provides a strong backbone for the songs.



In true grindcore fashion, you get 21 songs in 27 minutes. There's much variety here, with minute-long freakouts, mid-paced passages, doomy riffs, and a few 10-second ragers. Shane McLachlan's vocals are as pissed off as ever, and with titles like "Ignorant Americans" and "Death to False Punks," you know what you're in for lyrics-wise. Add in hot, clear production and mastering by Scott Hull (of Pig Destroyer fame), and the result is a diverse, focused, hard-hitting listen."