I say “goddamn, I like it!” When I noted that the astutely named Blood I Bleed would be unleashing 23 songs in 17 minutes I wondered, “Can they pull it off and make the arrangements come alive?” The answer is a resounding “yes,” by grindcore standards anyway.

Like the best grinders, in my humble opinion, this one snorts crust and shits grind. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s blatant, but it’s always there and you’ll be a better person because of it. It sure as hell is present on the 33 second “Bomb the Hague,” which switches back and forth effortlessly between punk nihilism and psychotic grind. If you don’t think the bass line intro to “The Fists are Formed” isn’t righteously punk fucking rock, then you’re just a dick. The other band that comes to mind at various points is early period Birdflesh at their grind-est; the wacked-out-of-your-skull on meth while wearing a tattered dress defines some of the album’s most frantic moments. The disc even includes a cover of Enemy Soil’s “Lost” (here is where you engage your significant other in a lively discussion about the Virginia band’s place in the annals of grind-dom). Vocally, it is non-stop scream-y and throat shredding; no barks, no talking, no inflection shifts, just in your face and up your ass for the entire ride. Relax, you’ll get used to it.

But back to the original question that we’ve already answered in the affirmative, Gods out of Monsters is impressive for its compositional twists and the ability of the band to always keep things interesting. Don’t get me wrong, the majority of the time the album sounds like musical accompaniment to some poor bastard running in circles in a confined space wearing an active bee hive on his head whilst a rabid Lhasa Apso chases him, the little bugger’s fangs just inches from said bastard’s bum. Blood I Bleed just make it more entertaining. Most importantly, as you might have learned earlier, you’ll be a better person because of it.

[Visit the band's website]

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