XXX Maniac / Coffins – The Cracks of Doom Split CD
I really can’t recall the last time I was excited about listening to grind, or reached for it willingly (although, “World Downfall” has been in the stereo a lot this past month). I can’t say that I’ve “outgrown” it per say, because like with every genre, there are influential or just plain excellent bands that never really drop out of one’s listening circulation wholly, but grind as musical medium, really ran out of gas for me. Too many bands writing insignificant/pointless songs that have nothing remotely interesting to say, not to mention too many bands all saying the same insignificant/pointless drivel musically and lyrically. Does that make sense? XXX Maniac are one of the collective “bands” (read: 1 guy doing everything, including drum programming, then a small army of people to trade off on vocals) that have nothing to say musically other than, “we’re going to kill you with quickness and then beat off over your twitching remains” with short, blasting machine drums, a bit of a punk vibe, and loads of porno sample fodder to indicate that this band does little but grind and watch people fuck. Fair enough, but does this combination and description incite much of a desire in you to run out and hear this band? Naw… me neither. Porno samples does not make one Blood Duster.
This split really is an off centered contrast… One meaningless grind band up against the lurching, grime flaking doom of Japan’s Coffins. The difference in musical styles I’m sure was intentional, but Coffins clearly wins the battle here with deeply tuned, death doom, obviously influenced by the likes of Hellhammer and the ancient DM cult. Swirling feedback and a crushing plod in the non-existent drum work lay the foundation for guttural vocals and groove laden pulse guitars to set the mood and set the heads in nod along motion. Coffins are just a classy, memorable strike of simplicity and a nice change of pace. This is my first contact with this band and I guess I’ll now try to catch up with the bandwagon of people all praising this power trio from the land of the rising sun. I need more! –Marty
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