From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grindcore, often shortened to grind, is an evolution of crust punk, most commonly associated with death metal, a very different though similarly extreme style of music.
Grindcore is characterized by heavily distorted, down-tuned guitars, with crust punk-influenced riffing; hardcore punk and thrash metal drumming, with many bands focusing on blast beats; songs rarely lasting more than two minutes (and are often seconds long); vocals which consist of growls and higher-pitched screams, similar to those found in black metal or hardcore punk. Lyrical concepts range from social and political issues to gore to humor.
[edit] Historical roots and influences
The genre was developed during the mid-1980s in the United Kingdom by bands such as Napalm Death and Sore Throat, the name "grindcore" being coined by Napalm Death's drummer, Mick Harris. When asked about coming up with the term, Harris replied:
| “ |
Grindcore came from 'grind', which was the only word I could use to describe Swans after buying their first record in '84. Then with this new hardcore movement that started to really blossom in '85, I thought 'grind' really fit because of the speed so I started to call it grindcore.[1] |
” |
Many of the earliest grindcore bands were featured on the Earache Records compilation, Grind Crusher (1990).
The genre, however, is considered a progression of hardcore punk[2] and, for some reviewers, this genre is also influenced by thrash and death metal[3]. Groups such as the UK's Discharge and Amebix and the US-based Siege, Lärm, and Repulsion were influential. Post punk, such as Killing Joke and Joy Division, was also cited as an influence on early Napalm Death, the latter cited on the DVD half of Napalm Death's Scum reissue.
[edit] Microsongs
One well-known characteristic of grindcore and related genres is the microsong; songs lasting seconds. In 2001, the Guinness Book Of World Records awarded Brutal Truth the record for "Shortest Music Video" for 1994's "Collateral Damage." The song lasts 4 seconds. In 2007 the video for the Napalm Death song You Suffer set a new "Shortest Music Video" record: 1.3 seconds.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Mudrian, Albert (2004). Choosing Death: the Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House.
