Dr Doom

You could be forgiven for thinking that DrDoom was a generic post-metal band from the intro; that collection of melodic chords and shimmering drumwork doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that this is going to be a particularly extreme release. But then 'Essential' storms in and your notion is immediately and jarringly corrected: this is actually the debut EP from one of the finest metallic grindcore bands this side of Nasum's unfortunate exit from the scene. DrDoom picks up almost exactly where that band left off with a collection of eight brief tracks that most definitely want the hardened grind fan wanting more. This unknown band is certainly on its way towards the top of the modern grind scene, and anyone dedicated to that style of music is highly encouraged to pick this disc up.

The music on this EP is in a perpetual state of explosion; every note is another package of C4 going off on your doorstep. The riffs are fast, crusty, and occasionally technical, but moreover they're possessing a ferocity found only on albums like 'Inhale/Exhale'. Drums echo the riffs astoundingly, with an incredibly human and frantic performance on the kit giving even more life to the music and animating even the most calm sections with an almost grotesque fervor. The greatest departure from the established Nasum style is in the vocals: instead of Mieszko's forceful and abrasive shouting, here the music is accompanied by a high-pitched, unhinged screaming, where every word feels like it takes five lungfuls of air to be frantically shrieked. Just when one brief track has completely used its musical ideas up, the band shotguns into the next, never leaving the listener space to breathe or comprehend what happened until the disc has finally finished.

There's little to say about music this unbowed and straightforward; if you enjoy metallic grindcore, this should be the next item you add to your collection. DrDoom is almost alarmingly good at this style of music, and it's rare to see a band in this style never lose step even for a moment in their race towards self-destruction and chaos. The songs are inherently memorable, the riffs are excellent, the drums are savage and everywhere at once, and the vocals are completely and irrevocably insane; all together, it makes for one of the best metallic grindcore debuts out there, and hopefully the first in a long series of releases from this remarkable young band.