While Willowtip’s trio of releases from Maruta, Kill the Client and Phobia certainly stole a lot of the acclaim for grindcore in 2008, here comes this belated release in my mailbox (along with the new Birdflesh) from the always quality grindmongers over in Czech Republic, Obscene Productions, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the best grindcore releases I’ve ever heard.

Apparently active since 1999 and with a handful of splits and EP’s under their belt, Australia’s Captain Cleanoff have unleashed their full length debut and it looks to be a classic album in the annals of grindcore along with From Enslavement to Obliteration, Horrified, World Downfall and Carcass’s early catalog (as if you could not tell from the album title).

21 tracks in 28 minutes, not only do Captain Cleanoff give a serious nod to the classics above with their vitriolic, punk fueled, power chord filled fury, but fit seamlessly in with more modern acts like Rotten Sound, Antigama, Gadget, Kill the Client, Insect Warfare and Nasum with a mid range, razor sharp tone. There’s no filler either as all 21 tracks rage with the intensity of a blast furnace despite the quirky song titles (“Gore Grind Thrush Attack”, “Hardcore Fashion Parade”, “Frog Dog”, “Baby Got Gunt” etc). No obscure movie samples or humorous interludes, just an uncompromising and violently catchy grindcore assault.

Individual tracks are pointless to single out as each sub two minute assault careens forcefully and precisely from the speakers replete with high pitch screams and deep but not overdone growls. Also, the band never feels the need to resort to any sort of hefty groove or breakdown, instead keeping their foot firmly planted on your throat, with the exception of the last moments of closer “Wizard’s Sleeve”, which allows you to finally breathe at albums end.

A brilliant and possibly classic album for the next generation of ‘real’ grindcore.

[Visit the band's website]

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