Spain's grindcore veterans Machetazo are back with a new record out now on Parasitic Records entitled "Ruin." Machetazo's brand of death metal tinged grindcore is in full swing on this release with signature Repulsion / Terrorizer riffage with signature blasting and ferocious vocals. Added to the band's pot of disgust is production reminiscent of early Grave and Nihilist that is certainly aesthetically pleasing and blends perfectly with the band's musical direction as of late. "Ruin" was recorded in a mere 18 hours and the album is a very fluid listening experience with no fillers or awkward transitions. Despite Machetazo's desire to capture the intensity and spontaneity of the musical moment their tightness is very apparent and in tact with obviously well rehearsed.material. Drummer and frontman Dopi's blast is one of the most consistent in metal and his d-beat inspired battery will keep your head banging as well, especially on the band's thrashier tracks which are in abundance on this gem. Possibly one of the best characteristics of Machetazo is that they manage to pay such obvious homage to their influences without sacrificing any originality, something very rare in many bands nowadays. One song made me want to jam Sacrifice, another Massacre, another Corrupted, making "Ruin" a very enjoyable listening experience as it reminds me of why I fell in love with extreme music so many years ago. Pick this up and, if you enjoy, feel free to check out the band's back catalog that includes many killer LPs, Splits, and EPs.
8.5 / 10
For Fans Of: Grave, Terrorizer, Corrupted, Repulsion