Kathode Demo

Kathode's demo is a toxic brew of crusty grind/hardcore and semi-melodic death/black metal. Hybrids like this were uncommon in 1996, so these guys might even be considered pioneers (albeit in an ultra-niche area). As far as I can tell, this band emerged when two guys from another Michigan band (.Nema) started jamming with drummer Andrew WK (yes, that one). Perhaps their intention was to create something faster, nastier, more aggressive and metallic than .Nema. The result is somewhat comparable with other hardcore/grind/metal-ish bands of the time (e.g., Unruh, Enewetak, IabhorHer). I detect the influence of earlier screaming hardcore/punk bands like Union of Uranus and Ottawa (the latter also hailed from Michigan), and from the death/black metal that arose from Sweden a few years before (such as Dissection and Dawn).

That said, the opening segue of "BZ" and "Stripmined" is not particularly impressive. These songs wizz past in a blasting frenzy and they hit the spot, but offer little in terms of dynamics (apart from a clumsy clean guitar section). Things get much more interesting on "Writhing", which opens with the type of swirling Possessed riff (such as the one they used on "The Exorcist"). The remainder of the song pushes further into black metal territory with raspy vocals and a hollow guitar tone that would suit an early Immortal record. "In The Wake" explodes with blasting alongside a harsh melodic tremolo riff and screaming (i.e., just like Suicide Nation three years later on "A Requiem... for All That Ever Mattered"). "Stillborn" adds some gloomy and epic riffs, one of which reminds me of a song from the first Necrophobic album, followed by a mass of grindy octave-chords and screaming. These three songs are awesome.

The production is fresh and abrasive. It has a punk-ness to it and avoids the irritating metallic ‘sheen’ that was present on most metal records released during this point. It also sounds much better and clearer than the band's seven-inch from the same year (which was muddier and less powerful sounding). The net result is some intense, energetic and visceral music that sounds more metallic than almost any other 'punk' band from this era. Maybe you will also think of Andrew WK in a different light after listening to this.