Grindcore 101: Genre giants Phobia to annihilate Athens
By Dani Purcell, Staff Writer
May 28, 2008 | noon
The For Real Fest creator, Ohio University graduate and catalyst to furthering the alternative Athens music scene, Ray Houska will satisfy grindcore fans Wednesday, May 28 with a show featuring D.C.-based Magrudergrind and California natives Phobia as headliners.
Because many general rock fans are not familiar with the multifaceted faces of the punk subdivisions exhibited by the show's bands, it is easy for one to confuse highly stylized subgenres, such as thrash metal, grindcore and crust punk.
These three subgenres are rooted similarly in the anti-glam punk explosion of 1977, gradually shifting towards their respective genre over the next decade. All three genres of thrash, grindcore and crust punk remain resilient, and bands confined to these genres generally display common characteristics. The musicality within each is technicality-oriented, obtuse and extremely heavy, while the lyrical subject matter remains overtly political and usually radical.
The book "Choosing Death" by Albert Mudrian and John Peel, seems to be the perfect choice for those interested in furthering his or her underground music education in this respect. “Choosing Death” appears to be the grindcore equivalent to the hardcore DVD anthology “American Hardcore,” as it actively explores the development and popularization of grindcore, in both the United Kingdom and America from the 1980s into modernity.
Mudrian has solidified his position to conquer the massive undertaking of this book. He is editor-in-chief of metal magazine Decibel and achieved quite a feat in receiving a positive review from ever-critical-yet-infamous review machine Maximumrocknroll. MRR’s review noted Mudrian interviews many of the major players in the development of the scene, including expansive information on time-defying grindcore pioneer band Napalm Death.
As illustrated through various media sources, the world of grindcore is strikingly realistic and socially active, yet inconspicuous. Athens is rarely blessed with the opportunity to experience popular grind bands, save the few who have made appearances at For Real Fest.
The complex style of Wednesday's headlining band Phobia embraces the general aspects of grind: the growling, throaty vocal style, as well as guitar lines in unusual synchronization with drum beats, satisfy these ideals.
The band also incorporates several other characteristics common to other genres such as hardcore, specifically on Phobia’s 2006 release, Cruel. Drummer Danny Walker cleverly slips a variety of unusual percussion techniques, including a double bass pedal, which is frequently found in metal music, as well as circle pit beats, true to thrash metal.
While Phobia, Skarp and Magrudergrind satisfy grindcore lovers, the Huntington, WV natives of Appalachian Terror Unit are sure to please crust punk fans.
One might not expect such technicality and passion to emerge from a sleepy river town in West Virginia, but Appalachian Terror Unit defies age-old perceptions of stereotypes about geographic location with precision and brutality. ATU has made several appearances in Athens over the course of its existence, including a slot in 2007’s For Real Fest.
With snarling female vocals layered atop burly riffs, ATU exceeds crust standards. Although metallic, the band has moments that echo melodic, an unusual attribute uncommon to its musical style. Heavy and politically radical, ATU easily has potential to crush eardrums.
While it is notable to have knowledge of these styles, arguably the most important concept within these many sects and musical types is not the ability to recognize the difference between styles, to emulate a certain scene or to acknowledge their skills. Rather, there is a musicality to the social impact and aspect of these bands, and the community that develops around them.
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Check out Phobia, Magrudergrind, Skarp and Appalachian Terror Unit this Wednesday at The Union. For more information, visit the For Real Fest MySpace.