Out Now
Due to the high number of releases that come across the HEAVY desk each day, we, unfortunately, miss reviewing plenty of new releases – for which we apologise – but occasionally something in the presser will catch your eye and force you to make time, as was the case with the new EP Callously Formed from Melbourne grindcore act Tongue Scum.
Out of the corner of my eye I caught the name Adam Glynn, and that was enough for me to read further.
It turns out the Frankenbok and Five Star Prison Cell vocalist provided nothing more than the artwork on this release, but it was enough to get the guys a review!
Boasting members of bands such as Effigy to Extinction, Grudge!, Stoning and many more, Tongue Scum are said to combine technical savagery and fast-paced riffage served with jarring brute force, which is the perfect tonic for this late-night review.
With a running time at a tick over 12 minutes, this six-track EP is shorter than my attention span so let’s hit play and get on with it.
Shut Up And Listen screeches just that as a frenetically chaotic wall of drums and guitars rams the point home. It is definitely on the more brutal side of things and doesn’t fuck around in getting to the meat and bones of the EP.
And then it’s over – before I had time to shut up or listen, but I have a feeling I’m not out of the woods just yet.
I’m not sure if it is a typo or not but Error In Lyf blasts out at me next and once more I find myself being vocally insulted in the most flattering of ways. I can’t understand fuck all of the vocals so focus on the musicianship which is tight as fuck and unrelenting.
Already this EP is closer to a workout at the gym than I have ever been before and probably 100 times more satisfying.
I feel violated but love it. Is that wrong?
Rivers Of Scorn is next and starts with a more sludge-type feel before the guitars kick in and once more I find myself in the path of sonic destruction. The vocals bark incessantly and scornfully, connecting the unseen dots with a finesse and precision not normally associated with music of this nature.
I’m only halfway through the shortest EP of my life and already having palpitations. I know I am unfit, but this music isn’t helping!
No Fear No Pain has more of a thrash metal-type intro and when the vocals kick in the contrasting genres actually fit together extremely well. I’ve not heard the term GrindThrash before but if it’s a thing then this track has it in abundance.
Things slow down a touch in the middle section of the song, but this is tempered by extreme double-kick blasts that defy logic. My pick of the EP so far.
Prestige Or Parasite is up next and doesn’t seem to allow time to make a choice.
Guitars swirl, drums smash and the vocals once more bark orders faster than a drill sergeant at drill camp.
The pace of these songs is unsettling to say the least but also more than enough to ensure public safety.
These guys would be a menace to see live, and I make a mental note to take myself along to a show next time they hit Brisbane.
The title track closes out the EP and Tongue Scum seem intent on leaving us in the same state of physical distress as they welcomed us with.
The screams are a touch longer in this track – which must play havoc with the vocalist. The guitars are meatier and the drums fuller, or maybe my delicate ears are finally starting to separate each instrument more.
Whatever the case, Callously Formed is an EP of pure aggression and intent, and a damn fine one at that.
If only my ears would stop bleeding…
