Grindcore is a tough one for me. In my opinion, too often awesome brutality, catchy-as-syphilis riffage and cool gory lyrixxx go against stupidly short songs and annoying frog-croak vocals. Spanish three-piece Gruesome Stuff Relish is just as listed, for a big part. 'Teenage Giallo Grind', the band's debut full length album, includes 30 songs of horror and murder movie worship.

So, great pieces are to be found here, usually in longer songs. But then again, there's also bursts that last for a few seconds. I don't get it, it might be truly fucking extreme to someone, but I don't find it that way. GSR have done it without much surprises, as their grindcore includes death metal and crusty punk elements. Truly heavy sound is awesome (downtuned guitars and distorted bass, I presume) as long as the band enter the blastbeat, because then the drums give excessive recoil. It just does sound annoying. Vocals are varying, from that annoying croaking to other inhuman growls and gurglings, of which some must be slowed down. Some of the lyrics are good gore fun, but the use of movie samples is very seldom and pretty short in every occasion. Insane guitar solos and hugely grooving parts can be found, too.

In my ears, Gruesome Stuff Relish sound okay, when they have cared to go with a tad longer songs, but then again, they definitely do not offer anything new to the genre. 'Teenage Giallo Grind' surely bring such names to my mind as Carcass, Machetazo, Haemorrhage, but every one of 'em have done this so much better. However, don't get me wrong and think this totally sucks, because it still offers some thrills over its 33 minutes of pounding. Investigate if you like the style, because Gruesome Stuff Relish definitely have proved that they're more than a promising trio.

Rating: 5+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/02/2008 18:59