Originally written by Jason Jordan.
Is it surprising that Finnish grinders Rotten Sound have unleashed another fine full-length? Hardly. Following their 2005 LP Exit and 2006 EP Consume to Contaminate, Cycles, like Exit, is also an 18-track record chock full of abrasive, caustic grindcore that, regardless of tempo, eviscerates with ease. Though it may seem that a 34-minute album is on the short side, brevity (murder)works in Rotten Sound’s favor because it allows them to deliver punishing blow after punishing blow without ever overstaying their welcome.
True to the grind hallmark of short songs, Cycles has only a handful that stretch past the two-minute mark. Opener “The Effects” is a trashy, mid-pace offering until 0:51 when it hits the gas and devastates in true Rotten Sound fashion. “Blind” unfolds in the exact opposite manner, however, as does “Simplicity,” while quick blurs include “Units,” “Corponation,” and “Victims.” Several such as “Colonies,” “Poor,” “Days to Kill,” “Deceit,” “Alternews,” “Decimate,” “Sold Out,” and “Feet First” incorporate an undeniable amount of groove interspersed between furious, speedy blasts, though a select few like “Caste System,” “Enigma,” and closer “Trust,” which utilizes dreamy, female vocals intermittently during its approximate four-minute duration, are downright groove-oriented throughout, and it’s the latter that are easiest to appreciate. The leads, even if few and far between, are nice touches to an otherwise blistering assault.
Known for paralleling Swedish contemporaries Nasum, who are now defunct, and Gadget, I prefer Rotten Sound to both, and most other grind bands for that matter. Cycles isn’t radically inventive, nor a departure from its long-player predecessor Exit, but it’s still one of the better grind efforts you’ll hear in the next 12 months. And you know grind is an overwhelming success when it makes you wanna punch someone in the face, and then kick them while they’re down. Overall, this is a great way to ring in the New Year, and the first 2008 release that will likely appear on many a best-of list.
