Portland grind metallers Transient have been around since 2007 with a bunch of splits and EPs to their name, and now have released their first self-titled full length. This is the first I’ve heard of the band, and after spinning this one a few times I have no desire to look up their past work.

Right after the vocals kick in on the first track, I’m taken aback by how raspy and screamy they are; after a few spins I could have sworn it was a woman. Well lo and behold when I did research on the band members, I found the vocalist is actually Krysta Martinez, who some might recognize from the band Landmine Marathon. The vocal style, however, is downright awful for this style. They are way too high for this type of music and take away from any sense of punch to the music, and after a few tracks I couldn’t wait for this album to be over.

The terrible vocals aside, there is just nothing to get excited about here. For a band that has been at it for 6 years, this is some of the weakest grind I have heard in a while. The blasts lack the needed ferocity, while the average riffs are drowned out by the aforementioned atrocious vocals. “False Philanthropy” sees the band start with a slower chug riff, and “Positivism. SFP Opt.1” plays off of that tempo a bit, but overall this is just 1-2 minute songs that go by with no desire to see them come back again.

Even if you’re a grind fan, you can easily take a pass on this. If you’re looking for something to satisfy your grind fetish, check out the new Squash Bowels or the underwhelming (but 1000 times better than this) new LP from Mumakil.

[Visit the band's website]

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