Defeatist – Sixth Extinction (2010 – Grindcore)

Defeatist brings more creative grindcore than what can be expected of a new band on the scene. This is not strange of course, because Defeatist is ex-Kalibas and ex-Andonyne members, reformed to be a rough grind act with true musicianship behind it.  With the Sixth Extinction Defeatist offers us a full length with 19 songs that are musically so sound that the sparks are flying off. Each song is an eloquent expression of the creative enthusiasm that the band has gone through in creating this album. That is at least my impression.  Defeatist rises above the grindcrust mainstream with creative drumming and guitar work, but without becoming experimental.

The sound of the whole album is somewhat pushy and although it doesn’t reach hyper speeds I feel that “relentless” is the code-word. Song after song is lined up without any time in between, smothered by shouting screams. Outside the occasional grunt the vocals blurt and blurt not showing any recognizable change in the blurting itself. For some no problem, for others a nuisance.  I have to say, it fits the whole “no mercy” attitude this album has. There is hardly any room to breathe and I don’t see that necessarily as a bad thing on the side of  Defeatist. Musically very interesting, vocally a bit boring after a while. But who cares! Defeatist doesn’t do pop-music. This is a mighty fine release by these old guys from New York. Great riffs and great drum structures, make the Sixth Extinction a delight to listen to. Vocally maybe not very strong, but I’ll get over it.

The album can be bought at Willowtip Records and find Defeatist on Myspace and BandCamp.