Search - Terrorizer :: World Downfall

Original, seminal, influential, essential, and bah-roo-tal!

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 06/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Napalm Death and Bolt Thrower are often credited for being grindcore's godfathers, but Terrorizer were every bit as responsible for making and popularizing this type of music. In other words, if Napalm Death (who debuted in 1987) and Bolt Thrower (1988) planted grindcore's seeds, then Terrorizer watered them and helped them to grow and prosper. Thus, all three bands were at the root of grindcore's creation.



And Terrorizer were not only one of grindcore's first bands, they were also one of the first extreme metal supergroups. Two out of the four band members, bassist/vocalist David Vincent and drummer Pete Sandoval, would later become famous for their involvement in Morbid Angel, and guitarist Jesse Pintando was apart of Napalm Death.



All metalheads need to know the following two words: "World Downfall." This is the title of Terrorizer's first--and so far only--studio album (which was released in 1989). This disc is widely thought of as being immensely influential in the grindcore genre. In fact, it has got to be one of the most important metal albums in the history of extreme music. Terrorizer were, after all, the first American band to fuse thrash with death metal.



"World Downfall" kind of sounds like Napalm Death, circa 1987 (the "Scum" era), except these songs are longer and David's vocals are much more constipated. This record is one long, ultra-intense, giga-heavy, super fast maelstrom composed of walls of crushing guitar noise and constant, speed of light blast beats. It is so full of scorching riffs and walloping blast beats, one can't help but wonder if Jesse's fret board is smoking and Pete's bass drum is in splinters by the time the first song is done playing.



Jesse and Pete are incredibly nimble and skilled musicians. They never fall behind or get lost in the mix, and they both play an equal part in driving the songs' rhythms.



None of the songs ever cop into any kind of melody or slow tempos. Thus, when the album is over, about all the listener remembers is one long blur. But, if you listen closely, there are a few standout tracks here. "After World Obliteration" is the album opener, and since it is an onslaught of blindingly fast riffs and pounding bass drums, it sets the pace well for the rest of the songs to follow. Later, "Fear Of Napalm" is a fiery, churning steamroller, and "Corporation Pull-In" is backed by careening guitars and insane drumming. The last really memorable song is track seven, "Condemned System." Pete really gets to show off his talents, here (he goes berserk on his trapkit and creates an all-over-the-place, jackhammer rhythm.)



If you're just getting into Terrorizer (in 2006), you might not understand what the big deal is about, since there are louder bands out there nowadays. But bare in mind that "World Downfall" came before all of those bands. (Without this album, there would be virtually no grindcore as we know it, today.) So, if you've given this disc a couple of listens and you still (for whatever reason) don't get anything out of it, you should still give Terrorizer credit for being so influential. And if you're a Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, or extreme metal aficionado, there is almost no C.D. you need to buy more than this one."

AN EXCELLENT GRIND ALBUM. SEMINAL. TERRORIZER ARE REUNITIN

Ryan McNee | Jersey, Altered States | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truthfully, this album is one of the illest grindcore or otherwise albums released in the history of heavy music. The lead in to After War Obliteration just kicks your @ss in, and it is on to nihility from there. I really can't verbalize how good this album is. Sandoval kills it on the drums and the riffs are hooky and superb as well. One of the greatest parts about this album is it's ability to cross over. I am not a huge fan of grindcore, I do like Napalm Death, Repulsion, Carcass, and Black Army Jacket, and LOVE intersparsed blastbeats. However, sometimes I find some grind just plain old rehashed. I mean there is a blueprint whether you would like to admit it or not. Blastbeat, poor production, and a guy shouting like he is deaf. The cool thing about this album is the rawness, it kind of reminds me of Beneath the Remains era Sepultura. You have heard grindcore like this because it has been copied, the great thing about this is it's seminal nature. It was one of the FIRST grind albums. Another cool thing is the hooky, and often groove laden aspect of this album. it just kills from start to finish. Also worth of mention is the fact that this clocks in @ just under 40 minutes which is just about the minimum length I like an album to be. The cover art is cool and makes for an excellent T shirt print. This has got to be one of the top 10 all time albums for me and would definitely be a superb specimen to represent the grind genre. It never gets old. NEVER. I got into this album only 3 months ago, and I am sort of glad I did not back in 87 instead. I feel I would have taken it for granted, as well as kept on looking for albums to match it until today. I really think that older grind is better grind and it's simplicity should not be held against today's grind. If you dig Napalm, or go out and buy this, don't sleep on Repulsion's Horrified. Relapse did a nice job on the 2 disc (the demo's are actually listenable!!!) version of thier only album with liner notes and packaging and the price is good too. These albums contain the realness and should not be slept on. GRIND!!!"

REAL Grind

Feathers Fell | 253 | 06/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You shouldn't call yourself a grind fan until you listen to this album. Sure, it's the only album they ever released, but it's a landmark in the late 80's grindcore scene, like with Napalm Death, Carcass, and Repulsion. It also features members of Morbid Angel and Napalm Death as well. This is what real grind is about. Downtuned guitars, crust punk related riffs, and pure insanity. Buy or consider yourself not worthy!"