Grendel- Soilbleed

Artist: Grendel
CD Title: Soilbleed
Label: Metropolis Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 7-20-05

Grendel’s new single “Soilbleed” is a potential club hit; make no mistake about that. Although the band should theoretically lose points for using now-commonplace “Full Metal Jacket” samples, they’re placed with such poise that you can’t fault them for it. The chants of “One! Two! Three! Four! My corps! Your corps! Our corps! Marine corps!” are matched so perfectly with the beats, you can’t help but march in lockstep with the drum machine. Besides, the synth line during the chorus is bouncy and instantly memorable. The other tracks on this seven-song EP, particularly “Zombienation,” are potential club hits as well, full of hard beats, thickly distorted vocals, and instantly recognizable samples. Up-and-coming harsh EBM acts Agonoize and Obszön Geschöpf contribute remixes of the title track, and the CD ends with the wonderful contrast of “Dream II,” an atmospheric collaboration with Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio that’s full of pianos, neoclassical strings and spoken vocals in German and English. It’s a fine contrast to the pounding intensity of the rest of the CD, and it demonstrates that Grendel’s music has more than one dimension. Check this one out if you like harsh EBM, and expect to see “Soilbleed” enter heavy rotation on your favorite DJ’s play-lists.

Visit www.grendel-base.com for more information.