2008
The history of GRYND RODD MUSE (GRM) is extremely underground with thrills and disappointments appropriate to a life of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s bankruptcies, band fights, name changes and being unjustly sued by a giant corporation without the cash to defend them selves. That’s versus the upside of supporting Entombed and Most Precious Blood as well as appearing to huge crowds at South Africa’s longest running festival, Splashy Fen. After a decade, 3 of the 4 band members have seen it all and found glue to recruit Garry Bell (ex bassist from grunge outfit, Porcelain Truck Drivers) and release their debut CD, The Violence of Apathy.
The hostile artwork, a mixture of death and authority, is the brainchild of Robin Gombert. It stamps a good, first impression. The production could’ve been bigger but how they managed to get it this good with only 6 days of recording and mixing defies belief. No doubt, sound engineer, Brent Quinton (ex Arapaho), is owed a bunch of credit.
Inside it’s metal and hard rock grooving together with strong, old school revival. This is for Pantera and Skinlab fans although the first single, ‘Once in Your Life’, is raucous and fun in the vein of System of A Down. ‘Sometimes’ kicks it up a notch, vocalist, Sean Leary aiming for high notes and hitting them well. I find him at his menacing best when unhurried and poignant, notably with ‘On Your Knees’ and my favourite, ‘Eden’. As lyricist, he falls prey to repetition but sings with such conviction he has to be forgiven. And the catchphrase of “sticking it in” from ‘Methane Betrayal’ is so damned effective that i can’t get it out of my head. The GRM majick is accessibility, catchy riffs and refrains abounding. Add exceptional musicianship from brothers, Chris and Alan Meyer, drums and guitar respectively, and you’ve got a well rounded band where every member gets his due. The tracks are well ordered, varied but flowing, raging yet with sufficient dark spaces to catch one’s breath.
GRYND RODD MUSE seethe with energy; bitterness and affirmation well directed so that The Violence of Apathy is one of 2008’s best releases.
[CD available for digital download at www.gryndroddmuse.com]