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Noothgrush/Corrupted split 12″:

Noothgrush and Corrupted may not really fit as metal bands in a strict sense, but they also don’t fit as hardcore, and I really like this split. I think it’s good enough for either genre really. Both bands turn in lengthy sludge numbers that ooze misery on this.

Corrupted remind me a lot of Hellhammer, but slowed down, to a Winter kind of pace. Really simple, repetitive, and oppressive. Their first track (Inactive) clocks just shy of 20 minutes and feels sinister and hypnotic. Like the thoughts in someones head plotting something really bad. The second track (Estar En Visper) while only about 5 minutes, seems to go even a little slower, and serves as a little outro. The time between each drum hit feels like an eternity, it gives you time to contemplate the next one. It’s as hopeless as the last. A track of feedback squalls on top of the mechanical grind adding a different texture to compliment all the low end.

On the Noothgrush side, things really aren’t much different. The 6 minute opener (Hatred For The Species) does use some variety in tempo and has a swampy, sub-EHG style riff tossed into the intro. Actually the vocals aren’t a lot different from Mike Williams delivery either. Drazie is the second track, and runs at about 14 minutes. This happens to be (probably) my favorite Noothgrush song. Some people have tried to suggest there’s something wrong with this band because of their name (it rhymes with toothbrush). I’m of the belief that few bands did the sludge/hc crossover better in the 90s, and frankly a lot tried. Draize is just completely tormented, hateful, and crushing. It takes you to a place that’s dark, and I would not recommend listening to it if you’re an emotionally unstable individual. I think Noothgrush were one of the best at two things: crafting extremely severe riffs, and illustrating the detestable nature inherent in mankind. There’s nothing joyful or empowering in either of these band’s offerings. As if to make sure there’s no doubt in that, Noothgrush turns in a cover of Neanderthal’s “Crawl” on the end of their side that sounds quite good. That’s about as close to fun as things get though.