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Zipping up the bodybag of this rather psychedelic cadaver is Mermaid In A Manhole, this release being subsequent to a split tape with noise weirdos The Earwigs.
Embryo's viscid set starts with Analingus, seeing programmed drums and pitchshifted vokills buried deep under lots of whooshing noise, which eventually peels back to reveal the congealed voice and thrumming beats. The rest of the songs follow the same muddy path laid down by this first song, the drum machine spluttering forth many deep rooted beats, which go from extremely fast blasts to dance breakbeats. The guitar is used sparingly, usually just playing short widdley bits. The vokills are pitchshifted into pure bubbley sludge, though they often switch to higher pitched, throatier gurgles and grunts.
Mermaid In A Manhole has a sound quite different from anyone I've heard before, with plenty of original ideas. However, tiny plebs of other bands can be found amongst this sloppy mess. The vokill style and some bits of the songs remind me of SMES's more slackened outings. Elsewhere the sound is akin to a less polished Goat Orgy, or what they might sound like buried beneath mountains of festering cack. There are also tiny flecks of Sleepy Samurai to be found here and there. The whole mucilaginous sound is similar to earlier works of Shitgrind virtuosos such as Necrobestiality.
A good few highlighter here. First Cum sees an angry cat taking over on vokills, the thumping beats leading us into a pounding dance part. Songs like Fuck Mouth contain beats that are liquefied by effects, enhancing the sloppy sound, Faster, harsher cuts like Reamed And Creamed and Backdoor Delivery have greater fury in their vokill outburts and drum blasts, sitting well alongside mind rotting droners like Cooze Cramming,
The production on Mermaid In A Manhole's songs is perfect. The lo-fi sound and heavy distortion of the drums and the vokills enhances the sleazy vibe excellently. Instruments are coated in layer upon layer of thick sound curdle, giving them a sound all of their own.
Overall, this is some quality goop. There's a fair level of song writing ability, coupled with plenty of originality. The highly distorted beats and disgruntled gnarring clog together to form a thick, molten mass of Cyberslop. This term appears to have been coined by Embryo himself, or so the descriptions of his works on his website would lead me to believe, and nothing sums it up better. Openminded fans of Cybergrind will enjoy this, not to mention those who also have a penchant for sick Shitgrind.
4/5
THE GREAT ONE
This split album offers many songs from three experimental bands with their own sounds, which clash together wonderfully. Such a contrast shows how versatile and inventive the Grindcore genre is, ranging from innovative and avant garde, to off the wall and insane, to just plain oddball.
4/5
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