Los Angeles Californian, grind/punk/crust act Nausea, FINALLY return with their sophomore album, hell it’s been over 2 decades since the unleashing of Crime Against Humanity, for crissakes.  But we know how life is.  It’s really tough to keep a band going, especially when you throw in life responsibilities, on top of band responsibilities.  I will not compare this new album to something that was recorded in 1991, but suffice it to say Crime Against Humanity is still, to this day, one of my favorite grind/crust albums.  So this album pairs founding member, Oscar Garcia, vocals/guitar with long time drummer, Eric Castro.  Enter in some new members and what we have here is a grind album that, although early in 2014 still, I think will be my favorite grind album this year.

The classic Nausea crusty punk/grindcore sound remains intact and the band has not missed a beat.  A very strong Terrorizer tone permeates this cd, if you remember Oscar sang on the classic World Downfall album, from Terrorizer all those years ago.  Oscar still sounds like Oscar and his vocals are still unique and he still sounds as angry as ever, with his deep gruff vocals.  “Freedom of Religion” gets things going with an outstanding groovy headbanging beginning before erupting into a swirling grindcore blasting affair.  “World Left in Confinement” has a groove at close to the 2 minute mark that I swear I started a slam pit in my neighborhood that blew out people’s windows.  The song alternates between some groove and a very fast thrash styled pace.  The guitar tone keeping the tone embedded in the crust/grindcore genre.  The band also covers the classic Terrorizer tune, “Corporation Pull-in”.  Killer guest vocals by Matt Harvey, of Exhumed fame and the song is crustier and more punk influenced than the original song, but no less killer.

Under 30 minutes, like their debut cd, Nausea return with such a memorable and catchy brutal grindcore album, in Condemned to the System.  You will be pressing repeat all day on this sucker.  The band mixes up the tempos quite a bit so as not to sound monotonous and the production is excellent.  The booklet contains band pics and lyrics.  I am telling you Nausea have returned with a vengeance and this is an essential 2014 purchase.  Buy or Die!!!

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