Mumakil - Behold The Failure

February 23, 2009

Reviewer: M.J.

The year: 1988, the place: my college dorm room. One of my buddies comes bursting in with a CD in his hand, breathing heavily from running down the hall in excitement. Gesturing for me to turn my music down (probably blasting Metallica or Slayer at the time) while trying to get a few words out. I oblige as he hands me the disc saying, “Man you gotta hear this fucking shit!” I flip it around to read while reaching to pop out my current CD. Napalm Death - Scum. Hmmmm, I thought, this will be short lived. I popped it in, hit play and found myself officially introduced to grindcore. 

Fast forward to 2009 (21 freaking years later!) and it is good to see that grindcore is still alive, kicking and vital in a relatively new band: Mumakil. Their first major label release on Relapse Records is quite a monster too - in their words “Grind as Fuck!” and that, it is. Having ex-members of the well respected Knut and Nostromo definitely gives them an extra edge in getting the notice they deserve and with a release of this quality they will only solidify their rightful place in the grindcore genre.

Behold the Failure (not prophetic) explodes on the first note of lead off track “Brothers in Slavery” and the fierce pummeling pace is unrelenting to the last note of track 27, “Doomed”. Like many grindcore songs, these are all fairly short but deadly precise hand grenades to the brain. There is always a bit of danger in achieving a “sameness” with grindcore because of the intense overload of sound but Mumakil are adept at creating just enough diversity like the grooving “Worms of Chaos” or the all out brutal “Pigs on Fire”. The blast beats are extremely fast and varied despite the drummer having to work within a controlled range of intensity which is a credit to his talent. Thomas’ vocals have a fluidity and control that can comfortably go from a growl to a scream in seconds without any adverse effects. The guitars and bass are like buzzsaws cutting down everything in their path with an incredible amount of heaviness and precision. These guys mean business and continue to further their cause with each impressive release in their catalog.  Behold the Failure is a crushing testament to the incredible talent in this band and will easily win over new fans in droves.

Ever since the death of Nasum’s guitarist and singer Mieszko Talarczyk, grindcore has been lacking a true front runner band. Suffice it to say, Mumakil is about to change that.

Release Date: March 31st, 2009
Label: Relapse Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Brothers In Slavery
2. Barbecue In Bhopal
3. Get Wasted Or Die
4. Black Sheep
5. Whip Reward
6. The Eye Of Wrath
7. Control
8. State Of War
9. The Order Is Fucked Up
10. I-Bomb
11. Useless Fucks
12. Without Grief
13. Pigs On Fire
14. Worms Of Chaos
15. Daily Punishment
16. Pisskeeper
17. Behold The Failure
18. Regression
19. Wish You The Worst
20. Let There Be Meat
21. Parasites
22. In Cold Blood
23. Face Reality
24. Apathy
25. Crawler
26. Mass Murder Institution

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: