Cruel

Phobia, Nachtmystium | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Willowtip Records
• ASIN: B000CSULKY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

One of the biggest and most popular grindcore bands in the world with previous releases on such notable labels as Relapse, ...see site for more info.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diverse, focused, and hard-hitting, April 28, 2006

By 

cosmokane31 (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruel (Audio CD)

Phobia formed in Orange County, CA in 1990, and has become a grindcore institution. Over a slew of 7"s, EP's, and albums, the band has served up socially aware, old-school grindcore in the vein of early Nasum and Napalm Death. Innovation isn't what Phobia is about, but wrecking shop is, and "Cruel" is perhaps the band's hardest punch to date.

One big reason is new drummer Danny Walker. Walker is versatile, having played with gore-grinders Exhumed and art pop band Cinema Strange, and recently delivered a nuanced, powerful performance on Intronaut's "Null" EP. Here, Walker plays exactly what is appropriate, whether it be blastbeats, thrash beats, ripping fills, or slow grooves. The performance is tight and provides a strong backbone for the songs.

In true grindcore fashion, you get 21 songs in 27 minutes. There's much variety here, with minute-long freakouts, mid-paced passages, doomy riffs, and a few 10-second ragers. Shane McLachlan's vocals are as pissed off as ever, and with titles like "Ignorant Americans" and "Death to False Punks," you know what you're in for lyrics-wise. Add in hot, clear production and mastering by Scott Hull (of Pig Destroyer fame), and the result is a diverse, focused, hard-hitting listen.

5.0 out of 5 stars Phobia best CD to date!!!, June 29, 2007

By 

Mike Haire "Metal Mike" (Nor Cal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cruel (Audio CD)

If you love grindcore bands like Napalm Death and Dying Fetus, you must get this album. By far their best I think. Super heavy guitar riffs with machine gun drumming. The drummer is amazing! I've played this CD and tracks on my IPOD non-stop. I want to see these guys live.
Metal Mike