Metal Underground.com

Though grind can at times seem to be a redundant beast of a genre, with many a clone act throwing its spikes and black and white album covers into the foray toward complete atonal anarchy, there are a few acts out there that know how to teach this old, snarling dog a few new maneuvers. Both Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix do just that on their recently released split.

Backslider brings a stoner/sludge vibe to the grind game as though Eyehategod circa 1993 got off the junk and decided to play at the speed they were always meant to play at—surprising given that Backslider hails from the northern climes of Philadelphia. Still, you can hear the influence of the hazy south straight from the trademark feedback intro of "Steady Diet of Vitriol," on through the rest of the side.

It’s southern black molasses that devolves into grind madness and spurts of power violence schizoid outbursts, as can be heard on "Sadistic Sack of Shit," with shouted vocals, chaotic back and forth discordant beats and time signature switches—off kilter and out of control. When the grinding gets tough, the sludge comes in so everyone can take a breather, and Backslider pulls off both equally well with some pure Sabbath worship on "Jerusalem Syndrome." Call it grind for the beardo set.

Not to be outdone, Scranton's Nimbus Terrifix steps up with its math grind stylings—original era Dillinger escape plan melded with funky bass lines and lyrical helter skelter poetic desperation throughout. Think grind for drug crazed grind freaks and Brutal Truth on a heavy dose of introspection, insecurity, and outright unease with a side helping of Black Flag hardcore brought to you by black coffee and hate.

Songs such as the opener, "Deadbeat," have a sturdy, infectious backbone courtesy of a heavily involved bottom end, and you can hear the imminent danger in the reckless hardcore ramblings of the vocalist. Speaking of which, "Scranton Trinity" wouldn't sound out of place on an eighties hardcore punk compilation.

Grinders burnt out on grind would do well to check out these two bands that bring a little something different to a genre that all too often keeps to the same old tricks.