March 5, 2010

Reviewer: Matt

The Grind Years is a compilation of Psycho’s contributions to various splits and compilations from 1990 to 1994.  Psycho was a staple of the Massachusetts hardcore scene beginning in the early 1980s and continuing for over a decade.  The Grind Years is a solid collection for fans of the extreme variants of hardcore, particularly for fans of the band who want all these tracks in one convenient package.

Most of the tracks here will appeal more to fans of hardcore than to fans of metal, as there’s relatively little of the ripping ferocity of Repulsion and Terrorizer or the anarchic brutality of Napalm Death and Carcass. Frequently Psycho will burst into rhythmic chaos for brief blast-beat ridden passages, but predominantly the songs are D.R.I.-style crossover with gruff or gurgled vocals.  Occasionally some blatantly rock and pop-punk riffs will find their way in, making for a somewhat disjointed listen, as there’s a noticeable lack of song flow among the releases that comprise this compilation and even within the individual releases themselves.  Grindcore, with its short songs, works best in album format when the songs relentlessly barrage the listener.  The abrupt stylistic shifts and the nearly hour-long runtime make for a tedious and exhaustive listen if experienced in one sitting.  These fifty-two tracks are most enjoyable when heard in the short, four- to six-track settings of their original releases.  As a metal fan I’m more likely to throw on Repulsion’s Horrified if I want some early American grind, but listeners who enjoy old punk and hardcore in a more intense form will certainly find value in The Grind Years.

Release Date: March 23, 2010
Label: Selfmadegod Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Mooch   
2.  Fletch
3.  Stupid People  2
4.  No Decision
5.  Dead Wrong
6.  Predator
7.  Douch Bag
     Rules
8.  Zeppelin  
9.  Story Teller
10.  Roast Beef
11.  You’re Next
12.  Natural Fiasco
13.  No Second
       Chance
14.  Mass
       Consumption
15.  Yawn
16.  Carnation
       Instant Death
17.  Sore Rectum
18.  Tortured Souls
19.  Loaf
20.  Extracting Your
       Dimensions
21.  Drive
22.  Equality -
       Ecology
23.  Has Been
24.  Convulsions
25.  Sore Scrotum
26.  Nicotine
       Addiction
27.  Riot Grrl

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Psycho - The Grind Years

28.  Psycho 4
29.  Friend of
       The Family
30.  Garth Brooks
31.  Second Death
32.  Threshold
       Of Pain
33.  Incinerated
34.  Evil
35.  Ignorance
36.  Celebait
37.  Spineless
       Corpse
38.  Crushed
       Genitals
39.  Disturbed
       Revenge
40.  Violence
41.  Garbage
42.  Humanity
       Lost
43.  1000 Miles
       Away
44.  Drive 2
45.  Slag
46.  Broken
47.  Fuego Y
       Azufre
48.  Hoax
49.  Blinded
50.  Fish
51.  Crusted
       Sewage
52.  Postman