Variante Alla Morte EP, 2008

"Get ready for an onslaught of blistering anger in the form of the latest release from Italian grinders Cripple Bastards' Senza Impronte. This 7'' EP is released through Relapse Records and is characterized by aggression and ultra-fast blasting.

The opening track 'Regime Artificiale' combines simple hardcore/crust riffage and d-beating-derived drums with high velocity blast-beats and simple, razor-sharp and fast grinding riffs. 'Agony of a Reformed Band' similarly draws on hardcore/crust and grindcore, but there are a number of heavier and more metallic elements. This approach is inherited by the following track 'Senza Impronte' (this track features a pretty cool militaristic chorus) and on 'Mondo Plastico', while 'Soggetto Leucemico / 10 Passi Falsi' is a lesson in controlled chaos.

Not unlike Lee Dorian in his Napalm Death days, the vocals interchange between guttural growls, death grunts, and angry screams. In fact, I would say that Napalm Death is probably the closest musical reference point for this release, as there seems to be a considerable influence from Napalm Death on Senza Impronto. I wouldn't say that it is a rip-off though, as Cripple bastards have taken the intensity of From Enslavement to Obliteration-era Napalm Death combined with the more recent style of Napalm Death, removing the death metal-element, upping the intensity and adding a sense of anger and extreme frustration. Thus the Italian grinders definitely taking the music in their own direction.

In any case, Cripple Bastard's Senza Impronte is a lesson in chaotic, but precise and well-performed grindcore and should appeal to anyone who is looking for a musical explosion of intensity.

(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)"