Stockholm kings of speed Massgrav split with Kronofogden from Hudiksvall.  A super-fast Swedish hardcore punk assault.  Massgrav brings their signature sound of blastbeat infused hardcore punk while Kronofogden hits you with fast, crusty, hardcore punk.  There are plenty of d-beats and both bands deliver unique, original sounding vocals.

            Kronofogden/Massgrav Split 7” EP (2016) is released by Blindead Productions in Sweden and is available on red or black vinyl.

Crepitation from Manchester, England are arguably one of the best slam bands in brutal death metal today.  The Violence of the Slams (2016) is their highly anticipated full-length after the underground success of their EPs, North-West Slam Fest (2007) and Glasgow Smash (2013).

The music features a ton of blast beats and gravity rolls with ridiculous grooves and tough breakdowns.  Crepitation have a tongue-in-cheek, humorous take on death metal lyrics.  With a dual vocal assault, these guys experiment with unusual vocal techniques creating some really extreme sounds.  Crepitation definitely have their own unique style compared to your average run-of-the-mill slam bands.

            The Violence of the Slams is available on clear, yellow, or black vinyl from Morbid Generation Records in Germany.

            Mad at the World are a hardcore band from Paris, France.  Domination (2015) is released by BDHW Records (Beatdown Hardwear), hardcore label from Leipzig, Germany.

The song arrangements here are more complex than most hardcore bands and reminiscent of death metal.  Dark metallic riffs and plenty of hardcore grooves with really killer hardcore vocals.  Including beautiful cover art (Morbid Angel anyone?!), the record even has eight tracks like a death metal album.

            If you’re a fan of hardcore, be sure to check out BDHW Records.  The label features a ton of great hardcore bands you might not know about.  Mad at the World are definitely one of the best hardcore bands currently active in Europe.

This fucking rules.  Noise-grind insanity from Malaysia, SMG, split 7” with Repulsione from Italy, and co-released by Grind Block Records, Audio Lesion Records, NHDIYST Records, Nuclear Alcoholocaust Records, and Jennifer Grind Records.

The SMG (Selfmadegod) side is furious, noise-grind madness.  The Repulsione side delivers manic European grinding powerviolence.  Both of these bands have been active in the underground for over ten years.  With sick cover art and d.i.y. as fuck, this release is highly recommended for noise freaks everywhere.

From Grey……To Black (2013) sounds like Agathocles lost their drummer, got super high, left a drum machine on repeat, and played the same riffs over and over and over again.  This is one of their experimental albums, not really grindcore.  The vocals are still your usual Agathocles sound though.  For fans of bands experimenting and not giving a fuck what you think.

From Grey……To Black comes in grey swirl vinyl and is limited to 315 hand-numbered copies.  It is released by Cold-Coffein-Addict Records and Vulgar Records in Germany.

            Agathocles are a grindcore band from Belgium active since 1985.  They call their music mincecore and have a prolific catalogue of literally hundreds of releases.  Last summer Agathocles toured the U.S. for the first time, performing dates in the north-east.

Nethergrave – Buffalo Death Metal

Buffalo’s newest death metal band, Nethergrave, doesn’t care about egos or trying to fit into a certain sub-genre.  They play the music they want to hear.  Just death metal.  Fast, angry, and relentless as possible.

While not necessarily trying to stick to a brutal, technical, or black metal sound, Nethergrave are more focused on being as extreme as possible.  Influenced by bands like Cannibal Corpse, Decapitated, Dying Fetus, Morbid Angel, and Suffocation, you get the idea.

Favoring a less-is-more approach, there are no nine-minute death ballads here. Nethergrave’s songs are the perfect length, just enough time to beat the listener into submission.

Nethergrave released the three song demo, Out of Skin, last May and have plans to record new material by the end of the year.  You can stream or purchase, Out of Skin, at the Nethergrave Bandcamp and be sure to catch them live this summer at Buffalo Metal Fest.

            Hearing about an Ed Gein release is always a welcome surprise.  This one comes in the form of a double 7”, Smoked (2016).  Five ripping new tracks on two discs from Syracuse, New York grind-hardcore veterans.

Ed Gein have been sporadically active during their 15 year existence, performing mostly in Syracuse and other north-eastern cities.  Revered in the extreme music community, they play a unique blend of hardcore and grindcore delivered with intense urgency.  With song titles like “Build A Wall Around D.C.,” Ed Gein are certainly keeping up with the times on Smoked.

The special d.i.y. packaging is designed and hand-screened by bassist/vocalist, Aaron Jenkins.  Smoked is available via mail order from Hex Records on black or clear vinyl.  Go fast!