Review: “Murder Engine” by Grone

Hailing from East Brunswick, New Jersey, Grone have been inking cryptic writings since 1987 with the writing partnership of guitarist and vocalist Chris Christopher and bassist and vocalist Chris Gennaro as the band’s beating black heart. Between 1987 and 1994 they released four demos under the name Suiciety before rebranding and going on to release two albums and two EPs before taking an unofficial thirteen year hiatus from 2002 to 2015. The Death Metal outfit then returned rejuvenated with EP “The Forgotten” before a split with Pigpen last year, EP “Made To Suffer“. Looking back they can safely say their career has been one of quality over quantity.

A record of short, sharp shocks of Industrial tinged Death Metal with flavours of the 90s era and bands like Sepultura early Fear Factory and Godflesh is immediately apparent with the groove laden sub two minutes that is “In Blood“. Dark, primitive and cold with the drum machine driving home the nails, the opening slab of old school sound is the kind of moment that makes you look twice, capturing thr imagination like a genius idea in a low budget horror film. “Warfare” then follows suit with the stuccato riff breaks and pummelling percussion taking the discerning listener on a nostalgia trip to 1994. The drum programming is sympathetic and could easily be replaced with someone of flesh and bone should the band go that way to perform these tracks live and it has to be said there isn’t a flat cymbal hit to be heard. A couple of funky bass parts elevate “Remains in the Sludge” which is a damn fine time before the scalding vocals of “Murder Engine” become a call from the black depths of the abyss. Gutteral Death growls are the bands stock in trade, cleverly done so that all the lyrics are clear but on the title track it’s the subtle tempo changes and dirge groove laden riffs that bring it home. Changing direction “The Sum of Nothing” has an 1980’s science fiction flavour to it with some atmospheric synths giving it a low, slow and sinister vibe. A real trudge through the tar pit with some demonic vocals, it has a couple of well worked guitar drop outs to build a sense of tension with a tribal fills or eerie synth parts that give it a real edge and set it apart from the pack. “A Ruthless God” follows suit with that John Carpenter feel to it, the powerful percussion driving things forward as the guitars add a tasteful crunch. Harsh and omnibus, as the title suggests it has a bleak quality to it that is well balanced. All in all a punchy record from a band who still have a lot to offer [7/10]

Track Listing

  1. In Blood
  2. Warfare
  3. Remains in the Sludge
  4. Murder Engine
  5. The Sum of Nothing
  6. A Ruthless God

Murder Engine” by Grone is out 16th September 2024 and is available over at bandcamp.

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