Greece's grindcore act Head Cleaner are familiar to me, and have been on my "must buy" list for years. However, without any luck I've never managed to get their self-released full length albums 'Intellectual Oxygenation' (2004) and 'The Protest' (2010). But my luck turned, as the band sent their latest, the third, release, 'Resistance, Determination and the Sheer Will to Overcome' for me.

'Resistance...' is a vigorous little platter of modern grinding, let me tell you. As I'm not following this genre very deeply, there is just one band that Head Cleaner sound like. Come on, try to guess? The answer is, unquestionably, legendary Napalm Death. Brutal death metal and punk influences are wrapped into a package, that sounds both modern and archaic, both in a good way. Head Cleaner do not quite reach the heights of insane Napalm-ish vortex, but handle their job without keeling over.

Vigorous, brutal death metal riffing meet punky strumming, never sounding feeble or ill-suited. No guitar solos are heard, and not needed. Double kick drum, blast and D-beats keep the velocity quick for a big part of the EP. The bass slaps and provides sturdiness. The vocals are deep throat growling and bellowing (no pun intended), but also shrieks à la Napalm Death and almost spoken lines are heard. Lyricswise this is about selfhood, plastic clone people and revolutionary things.

Opening trio are diversified yet bloody catchy death/grind songs to headband and slam to, and what drive do they both contain! These songs are . 'Crime and Punishment' is more on the grindcore side, being vicious as heck. Definitely most Napalm Death-ish song on offer together with 'Forward to Exist', which at times eases on pace a bit and introduced industrial influences in way of moody sounds. 'Nobody's Like Me' is a short piece of insanity. Not the world's shortest song *winkwink*... The closer 'Departures - Arrivals' is a fantastically atmospheric song. You can feel the anxiety and coldness of modern society on it. It mutates slowly, but easily holds attention. Listen that guitar scream...

The production crowns this release. Truly heavy, still clear, balanced and all-around fantastic effort. As is the cover artwork. As well as the whole EP! If you're into grind/death metal, there is no idea to leave this stone unturned.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/09/2012 21:32