Not that this makes grindcore interesting. More often than not the opposite is true. While many subgenres beneath the rubric of heavy metal are prone to incorporating elements of grind into their music, the luddite tendencies of grindcore – in and of itself – have imposed a strict code of conformity to which adherence is mandatory or grind club membership is revoked. As a result, the evolution of grind has been measured in baby steps instead of leaps. Regardless, amenities such as better production and musicians who can actually play their instruments have done little to make grind interesting.
Yet Nasum eludes these pitfalls while bending the rules little. First and foremost, the blast is the backbone, fueling an unbridled chaos that runs amok all over the album. But Nasum does not leave it at that as do many of its peers, possessing a knack for crafting the perfect hook, a sudden groove which – when juxtaposed with such percussive flurries – showcases an impeccable sense of dynamics seldom, if ever, spotted among grinders. In short, Nasum keeps things interesting, consistently challenging the listener’s tolerance but not without providing some choice aural nuggets as a reprieve of sorts.
The band’s sense of crafting songs is matched only by its intellectual capabilities, as is evidenced by the highly charged and politicized lyrics of Human 2.0. With song titles such as “Multinational Murderers Network,” “Resistance,” “We’re Nothing But Pawns” and “Sick System,” Nasum squelches any questions as to whether the band canvasses either the path trampled under foot by bands such as early Napalm Death or the sick ass goregrind of its contemporaries.
A grindcore album that actually retains listener interest throughout its entirety – a novel concept. But one that works rather well. You have been forewarned.
