The Final Kill

Dutch grindcore outfit Collision decided to go out in style, with The Final Kill blazing through 7 tracks in less than 15 minutes before calling it quits. As far as swansongs go, these guys sound as vital as ever. There are no signs here that the band has any intention of slowing down or breaking up. It’s quite fitting that the final song is called Savage Executioner. “Eye for an eye, say bye bye!”

Musically these guys are mostly influenced by grindcore pioneers Repulsion. Just look at the artwork, the horror and grue filled lyrics and most importantly, listen to the music which hits that same sense of deranged fun. Tracks that sound like they could fly off the rails at any time suddenly hit a bassy groove, reminding you that this vicious face ripping is all about having a good time. You could probably dance to this, if only it weren’t so chaotic.

That rumbling bass is what reminds me most of Repulsion, though the modern production gives all instruments time to shine, while still sounding very nasty, with the guitar riffs cutting through like a knife. There are clear hardcore and thrash influences, the most obvious being the higher pitched vocals that shout most of the lyrics, though they are of course countered or doubled by a lower death metal gurgle.

The EP starts out with a couple of raging blastfests, but Collision really hit their stride in the next couple of songs. Shattered Glass and Severed Heads manages to be both shorter and groovier than the previous tracks. The intro sets you on the wrong foot before the thrashing begins. The lyrics are mostly violent tales with tongue slightly in cheek. Kudos for starting the drug addiction themed Sweet Vermin with the lyrics to Britney Spears’ Toxic. Engine of Extermination starts off as the most traditional death metal song. It’s stop-start riffing leads into a grinding monster of a riff. Then the bass grooves it’s way in between and manages to hit some kind of rockabilly swing that you can’t help but bounce along to. This Horrified meets Wolverine Blues formula leads straight into the rest of the EP, because the grindcore always rages on.

Sometimes you find an album where the fun the musicians had making it shines through in the music. This album sounds like it was a blast to make. It’s an incredibly energetic and fun listen. Collision went out with a bang.