Submit

"Submit" is a transitional EP. It represents the development between the one-dimensional sluggishness of "Industrial" and the catchier, bouncier sound of "Desensitized". It also seems to vary within itself, with different tracks sounding like they belong to different 'micro-eras' of the band's history. The big difference between “Submit” and the debut album is that Pitchshifter sounds more confident here. They had improved as musicians and as beat-makers. The song-writing is more purposeful.

"Gritter" is a brilliant opener; one of my favourite Pitchshifter tunes. It has all the groove, swagger and momentum that was lacking on "Industrial". It also keeps the death metal vibe of that album. The guitars are detuned into the basement, the riffs are crushing and the vocals are deep and guttural. JS Clayden is credited with all the vocals on this album, but his voice on this track sounds more like his brother's style from the debut. The other track that retains this vibe is the final (official) song, "Tendrill". These two tracks are definitive statements of the death metal/industrial crossover (a niche sub-genre if ever there was).

"Deconstruction" and "Dry Riser Inlet" have a different vibe. JS Clayden adopts a different vocal style, the gravelly, sneering style he would later perfect on "Desensitized". Both tracks also feature repetitive guitar squealing samples that would soon become a trademark (on later anthems like "Triad"). Most importantly, they show Pitchshifter moving away from their Godflesh worship and developing their own voice. Ironically, the other two tracks ("New Flesh P.S.I." and “Bastardiser”) hark right back to “Streetcleaner”. The former is a remix of a track from "Industrial". The latter is livelier and bouncier, but sounds a little too close to "Like Rats" for comfort. This makes sense once you realise that both these tracks appeared on the "Death Industrial" from the previous year. Every micro-transition of the band’s early evolution is on display.

"Submit" is one of my favourite Pitchshifter recordings. It is the heaviest and most crushing record of the band’s career. You could make a case for this EP being the band’s best ever release. I wouldn't argue with anyone who made such a claim. For me, "Desensitized" edges it, being more definitive of the early Pitchshifter sound (and having more memorable song-writing). Don't overlook this EP though.

Released as a "mini-lp" on Earache in 1992, this is one of Pitch Shifter's better releases and a firm fan favourite. The first six tracks are the proper songs; "Silo" is an instrumental bonus track and tracks eight and nine, if extant, are live recordings found on reissues.

The sound is a development of the Godflesh-esque industrial metal sound found on their earlier Industrial album; however some vocal duties have shifted from M.D. Clayden to his brother. The album has been mastered very well; it is one of the few CDs that has not been compressed to within an inch of its life, which is appealing to any sound quality weenies out there...

Machines do all the percussion so the drums are mercilessly tight; these guys know how to exploit machines so the drums sound realistic. The bass generally follows the drumming, and is mixed just right, so it never disappears but never swamps the riffs either. The riffs themselves are chugging, groovy and mid-paced; standard fare for this genre, but much better than average. There is also a lead guitar which plays over it all, similar to the lead of Godflesh - Don't Bring Me Flowers (so no shredding!).

The bonus track Silo is a little repetitive, but it's a bonus track so you're not expecting anything great from it, and the live tracks sound as if they were captured right off the soundboard, having a great crunchy guitar tone. There are also a lot of vinyl copies of this disc floating about, with some mildly sarky comments scrawled on the vinyl.

Standout Tracks: Deconstruction, Dry Riser Inlet