Review: “La tua foto sul marmo” by Cripple Bastards

“In being a surviving unit like Cripple Bastards for some 35+ odd years, it takes much persistence, perseverance and an undying spirit to wreck yourself, all out with Brutal-F**king-Grind. Yeah, I said it. I said Brutal, so what. Brutal. That’s the supposed overused adjective that most ‘heavy’ band bios and descriptions overlook nowadays for fear of over saturation or an unoriginal ‘old school’ repetitiveness. That’s the one word in the dictionary that C.B. should have f**king copy-written a long time ago. It fits them. It defines them. It IS them. Cripple Bastards are indelibly BRUTAL. In all ways; music, violence, artwork, attitude, politics. All born of this representative and passionately destructive word. The mere fact that C.B. even exist confirms they OWN the goddamn word. C.B. are B-R-U-T-A-L. Understand it NOW. “ ~ Cripple Bastards

Formed by the writing partnership of Grindcore band Grimcorpses in 1988, Cripple Bastards have enjoyed a prolific career venting on themes of Nihilism, Hate, Violence and  Misanthropy, dropping regular splits, EPs and albums with alarming regularity. Such brutality doesn’t take place without casualties however so “La tua foto sul marmo” (or “Your photo on marble“) is their first with second guitarist Eugenio Sambasile, a man known for his work in Embryo. It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Stefano Santi (Fulci, Lacuna Coil, Enthroned) at SPVN Studio, while vocals were tracked by Carlo Altobelli (Deathfiend, Final Struggle, Savage Death) at Toxic Basement Studio…

The first six seconds of “Il respiro si chiude” (or “Breathing Shuts Down“) might lull you into a false sense of security with its ethnically tinged haunting riff but don’t let Cripple Bastards fool you because after that it all out blast beats and grind riffs with harsh unclean vocals as they set the world to rights. Sure there is an atmospheric mid section that’s a bit slower with a spoken word as well as a few Hardcore Punk riffs thrown in for good measure because variety is the spice of life but make no mistake, this opening cut is somewhere between EyeHateGod and Napalm Death.

“Scarto del rimorso” (or “Discard Of Remorse“) is just as vicious with death growls cutting against shriller moments like two old men in an old school open razor blade fight, trying to cut each others throat. Its clear that the band must be drinking about twelve shots of Espresso a day to maintain the same energy levels that they started their career with in 1988, their instruments left smoking with the speed and intensity of these performances.

The most impressive thing is how the four piece are able to flip the switch between Hardcore Punk and Death Grind with a transition so seamless, something that makes all the difference on cuts like “Vendicativo” (or “Vindictive“). This one has some almost Metalcore inspired leads on it as the quartet go hell for leather once more with the style, substance, verve and swagger of a band who have done it all and lived to tell the tale. Make no mistake, the fire still burns within their hearts and this barbed assault on the senses deserves further investigation of the lyric sheet.

Who doesn’t love a pick slide? There is a glorious one after the melancholia tinged introduction to title track “La tua foto sul marmo” (or “Your Photo On Marble“) before it races away like a prize greyhound at the devil’s dog track in hell. Once again the band mix up the vocal onslaught with some death growls that reach the point of blood gargling and at the opposite end of the extreme some shriller ones that border on feral and the end result is a savage mauling. The surprise is the riffs are neither frantic nor frenetic, sonically the group demonstrating a modicum of control.

“L’era della dispersione” (or “Era Of Dispersion“) sounds like Discharge on steroids, the thunderous kit work and abrasive riffs delivering the message at breakneck speed before the outfit double down with “Ai confini di quel che puoi dire” (or “On The Brink Of What You Can Say“). Leaning intro Death Metal inspirations, the final cut is searing ball of energy during which the five piece manage to shoehorn in a solo. Easily the heaviest piece of this puzzle, this one is a lightening bolt thrown by a wrathful God. Yes it’s a cliche but Cripple Bastards are ageing like a fine wine. [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Il respiro si chiude
2. Scarto del rimorso
3. Vendicativo
4. La tua foto sul marmo
5. L’era della dispersione
6. Ai confini di quel che puoi dire

“La tua foto sul marmo” by Cripple Bastards is out 12th June 2026 via F.O.A.D. Records