Robotized / Böses Blut

What we have here is a split CD which has Agathocles performing 5 new studio songs and 4 live recordings. Of course one would have preferred new songs only but then again, this is better than a split with only live songs you’ve heard over and over on previous releases.

The five new songs mark a slight return to the roots and mix their earlier “Black Clouds Determinate” atmosphere with their eighties primordial grindcore days though the performance is of course a lot better.

There’s not much diversity in styles (crustcore and industrial tendencies seem almost gone) and the production is light weight. Especially the guitars have a sharp sound. The best songs here are opener “Drug Induced Fantasies” which has a large diversity in pace and riffs but remains an old school grindcore song in essence. Third song “Get a Life” is rather short but has some really good breaks and memorable riffs. These two songs alone are reason enough to complete your Agathocles collection with this split. The other songs are of course decent and entertaining.

The live tracks have a pretty good sound compared to other live releases from Agathocles and especially their hardcore punk songs do well in a live environment. This makes “Is It Really Mine?” and the Pandemonium cover “Wir Fahren Gegen Nazis” enjoyable extras. Also the live versions of “Thanks for Your Hostility” and “Criminalisation of Strange Behaviour” are executed surprisingly well.

All in all this split CD is a pretty good release and worth tracking down if you want to complete your collection. If you're new to Agathocles, keep this one in mind but get your hands on "Black Clouds Determinate", "Thanks For Your Hostility" and especially "Razor Sharp Daggers" first