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Benumb - "Withering Strands of Hope"
Relapse Records (2000)
Benumb
Genre: Power Violence
Similar bands: n/a
 
Review:
While searching out a way to describe Benumb's sound, I found a perfect genre grouping for "Withering Strands of Hope": power violence. The disc doesn't quite sound like a grindcore album since the guitar work isn't overflowing with technicality and the vocals aren't in the typical death metal style. However, the drumming is warp speed, so it's definitely not a mere hardcore album. Benumb play really fast music with screamed vocals and the occasional slowed down mosh part. Think of a hardcore 7" that's supposed to be played on 33, but you kick it up to 45 or even 78. A spoken intro starts off the CD which then showcases thirty tracks, only three of which pass the one-minute mark, and is finally ended with a useless noise track. The CD artwork is intense much like the group's music, showing someone injecting heroine, as well as a clusterfuck of other partying pictures. And the production is ten times better than most bands of the ilk.

Benumb have made friendly with many bands and record labels since their formation. They take the time to include them inside the CD's booklet, not only by name, but including a contact address as well. As a matter of fact, the whole booklet is nothing but thank yous. Not one song lyric, or graphic (other than the background) is present. This is somewhat parallel to Benumb's music. They cut right to the chase and cut out the bullshit. Grindcore and power violence tend to be two underground heavy genres that get boring easily with so many bands doing the same thing, but Benumb have really etched one up there with the classics like Napalm Death and Brutal Truth. Do not pass this by.

 
Grade:
79/100
 
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Fan Reviews
sicboy - I feel Benumb is definitly one of the most underrated bands in metal/grind/whatever scene....i first heard em on the relapse 1999 sampler, and have been hooked ever since.....as amazing as "WSOH" is...i still think theyre first cd is a little better
 
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