| Noothgrush/Deadbodieseverywhere Split (7") | 1997 | Bovine Records |
The beginning of the first and only track that Noothgrush represents on this split, is an excellent example of this. Distorted screams and other unspeakably grim vocals repeat a verse over and over in the same tortured fashion every time. I could swear that they are repeating, "Fuck, fuck, fuck, oh hell this is fucked, oh hell this is fucked", which would actually be quite fitting to the really fucked up music that does follow the intro. Without any kind of mercy the track wanders off slowly enough to shame a funeral doom band. But the slowness would have been worthless if it wasn't for the partially inhuman riffs and vocals. However the slowness does a very important job. It prolongs the pain and drags it further and further, to make sure the experience of this track is more than horrid enough.
The second part of the split belongs to a hardcore band called Deadbodieseverywhere. Well, it might actually be pretty unfair to call them a plain hardcore band because although they are not really sludge, they have enough sludgy tendencies to please fans of Crowbar for example. Two interesting notes before I continue with a better description of the music. The lead singer has only one arm, his right one. Also although the band split up officially in 2001, their last release didn't come out until 2003.
The first song is a pretty pure hardcore experience with music above an average pace. The second one on the other hand is much more pleasing to us slo-mo fans. Angry punky lyrics performed with hardcore vocals, heavy pounding riffage, and a generally pretty pissed off atmosphere comes in abundance. It's hard to tell who or what they are actually pissed at, as it's hard to catch the lyrics, but whatever it is, it sure makes their blood boil.
Once I finished this review I realized that it's really a shame. Both bands have split up before this review was written. The split was limited to 1500 copies and it doesn't seem that there will ever be a re-release of it. There might be some truth in the myth, that obscure, rare and out of print albums by bands who no longer exist, are the most valuable of all releases. At least the musical value of this release is truly priceless.
Noothgrush:
1. Jundlandwastes
Deadbodieseverywhere:
2. 1982
3. Sidetrack
Approx. 9 minutes
| Noothgrush/Corrupted Split (Split CD/LP) | 1997 | Reservoir |
Indeed Noothgrush doesn't fail to deliver music good enough for those expectations. Their old-school Grief-like sludge/doom is as sick, heavy and filthy as they are expected to deliver. You'd better have a good reason not to frown.
Corrupted on their side do just as well. Their hardcore influenced sludge/doom is filled with the ugliness which Corrupted fans seems to enjoy. Truly hideous down to the bone.
Both bands are in the vein of Grief, but in their own distinct ways. Those who enjoy Grief's way of creating sludge should also give these two bands a shot. I cannot think of anyone from that fanbase who have tried them and disliked them. If that's not a good recommendation in itself, then I don't know.
Noothgrush:
1. Hatred For The Species
2. Draize
3. Crawl
Corrupted:
4. Inactive
5. Estar En Visperas De Ultima
Approx. 48 minutes
| Sloth / Noothgrush Split (7") | 1997 | Doom Records |
The track is rather odd as it has a 3-minute intro and lasts only 2 minutes after that. The intro is basically an extremely slow and slightly stonerish bass line. It reminds me of the quieter moments in YOB's music. But the interesting stuff is to be found in the last two minutes. Here you find a pumping rhythm full of "scream your lungs out" attitude, blended in nicely with a dose of silliness. The sound is better described as humping music than headbanging music.
Noothgrush is the band that holds the other side. They are far more famous in the sludge underground and I would say nothing to argue against that position. Before they split up in the first years after the new millennium, they used to play just about the sickest and most tortured sludge that has ever been made.
This time, the pain and torment have been mixed with quite an unhealthy dose of bad temper. The track is as filthy and painful as setting a needle of heroine in the eye. And the extremely slow pace of the track pounds in every moment of this gruesome sight. If you like the torture coming from Grief then don't miss out on this one.
With all the attitude and torment that follows this release, my next statement is one that defies sanity. Ten minutes isn't enough. I play it again, and again, and again....
First Pressing
Second Pressing
Sloth:
1. Anaconda
Noothgrush:
2. (untitled)
Approx. 10 minutes
| Gasp / Noothgrush Split (7") | 1998 | Clean Plate |
There's little doubt that this band is a highly original one. Fans of "we do as we like, and if you don't like it, fuck off!" bands with an extreme attitude, like the US band Sloth would definitely enjoy this. But for the majority of doomsters, I'd hazard to say that this wouldn't be your cup of tea.
Noothgrush is nowhere near as chaotic as Gasp track on this split but their music is still a little out of the ordinary. They usually play doom/sludge in the vein of Grief, but this time they probably lie closer to the other top name in the doom/sludge sub-genre; Eyehategod. Still they haven't exactly done anything to make their music less sick and hateful.
For those who don't have an extensive knowledge of the doom/sludge genre I'm going to add this second explanation as well; this is mid-paced doom/sludge driven by deep-seated self-hatred; no self pity or sorrow, just brutal, mental masochism.
While Noothgrush has several other really great releases behind them, Gasp has only one other as far as we know. Hence this 7" would probably be of more interest to their fans than those of Noothgrush. But on the other hand fans of Noothgrush won't be disappointed either.
Gasp:
1. Love for The Retarded Strands
Noothgrush:
2. Starvation
Approx. 10 minutes