Misanthropic Sludge (Fistula, Loser 2011)

Somewhere in the traditional non freudian (the sick fuck) emotional spectrum is a gaping mismatch located between the traditional polar opposite states of sparking aggression and gaunt sullen gloom. And to what or whom do we attribute this crippling graphical realisation to I hear you ask? Such a clean up bill belongs to Fistula's upcoming release Loser, which given the quizzical nature of their performance is very probably as much a jibe at your pathetic ways (Only raised £15 for cancer, pathetic go back to hounding pedestrians) as it is a self inflected insult to their own failed aspirations to be boxed in as either a doom, hardcore or grind band.

Such a failure to fit neatly into conventional categories does not spell failure for them, their mind numbing breed of mid tempo sludged cynicism with punch drunk hardcore all beset by a dark brooding exterior props this release up nicely amongst the ritually imaginative and evoking peices of work that clearly spells in bold letters success. One can truelly say it is a true hybrid of such genres right down to every detail, rather than the chop and change method adopted by many. Fathered by grind and nurtured from a cynical mother of sludge, this release reeks of qualities of both in a distinctive yet regal fashion. Its the righteous and grindful Phobia shacked up with a fidgeting and restless Eyehategod, a combo that perks up your cranial activity to pay more attention to detail to it, whilst not demanding any physical engagement or gearing up to channel the music.

A joyfully quirky release, were one is greeted with as much musical familiarity as unfamaliarity; formulaes and variables we know well adapted to other great things.