When it comes to Colorado's Cephalic Carnage, however, I don't get too bent out of shape. If the band were following a trend, I seriously doubt they would be playing death-grind, or "Rocky Mountain Hydro Grind," as they have dubbed it. It is hard to believe, however, that the weed they smoke is devoid of any special "additives," judging from the sheer speed and heaviness of the music - fueled by blast beats, sporadic and unexpected tempo shifts, and the hella low gutteral growls and face-pealing screams of vocalist Lenzig. In other words, I wouldn't hold my breath for Cephalic to share the stage with Fu Manchu and Orange Goblin for a rousing Black Sabbath medley at Stonerfest 2000, wherever that may take place.

But is Cephalic Carnage redefining grindcore, as many of the band's fans like to boast? Not really. If anything, Cephalic is evidence of just how blurry the lines between death metal and grindcore are becoming, often sounding sonically like a less caffeinated Cryptopsy or a Cannibal Corpse with a bit more creativity and a drummer who can actually blast worth a shit. Sound farfetched? Listen closely to standouts such as "Jihad," "Analytical" and "Extreme of Paranoia."  This is not a strike against the band, however, regardless of Cannibal Corpse's less than lofty status with a great deal of proponents of extreme music.

The only complaint I have is how directionless some of the songs seem, pausing for a few seconds and then blasting off in a completely different direction. While some may argue that this quality is the essence of extreme metal, a complete aversion to linearity, it often borders on, dare i say, unnecessary overkill. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to choke a song to death by forcefeeding too many riffs down its throat. While none of the tunes are D.O.A., there might be some close calls. But it's a rookie mistake that certainly hasn't deterred me from blasting it from my speakers on an almost daily basis. Hopefully, Exploiting Dysfunction, the band's impending release, will see the band a tad more focused without sacrificing the extremity that makes them so goddamn impressive.

Conforming to Abnormality is an all new "Rocky Mountain High." Let's hope John Denver is turning over in his grave.