Goregrind

Goregrind is a fusion genre of grindcore and death metal.[1] British band Carcass are commonly credited for the emergence of the genre. Goregrind is recognized for its heavily edited, pitch shifted "watery"-sounding vocals and abrasive musicianship rooted in grindcore.

Goregrind
Stylistic origins	Grindcore death metal
Cultural origins	Late 1980s, England, United States
Typical instruments	Guitar bass guitar drums drum programming
Other topics
Deathgrind pornogrind

History

Despite the early impact of albums such as Repulsion's Horrified and Impetigo's Ultimo Mondo Cannibale,[2] the origins of the genre really lie with the British band Carcass,[3] who began their career in the late 1980s. In their Reek of Putrefaction era, Carcass used pitch shifters, medical imagery and several visceral associations when it originally conceived the band, a deviation from the frequently political or left-wing lyrics commonly used in the hardcore punk and grindcore scenes.

Characteristics

According to Matthew Harvey,

Gore-Grind (sic) music is characterized by its preoccupation with pitch-shifted or extremely low vocals, use of gore and forensic pathology as its exclusive subject matter, and often very fast tempos. Gore-Grind bands also have the refreshing tendency not to take themselves or their lyrics too seriously. This is evidenced by ... the often intricate and disgusting yet undeniably cartoonish splatter drawings that adorn many Gore-Grind album sleeves.[1]

Zero Tolerance described goregrind as being defined by "detuned guitars, blasting drums (sometimes with a high-tuned, clanging 'biscuit tin' snare drum sound), sickening lyrics and often heavily processed/distorted vocals.[4] Goregrind bands commonly use extremely low or pitch-shifted vocals.[5] The lyrics' subject matter often features violent themes including gore, forensic pathology, death, and rape. Lyrics sometimes have a clear tongue-in-cheek Z-grade horror-movie feel and are not expected to be taken seriously.[1] Cyjan, former drummer for Polish goregrind band Dead Infection, commented, "Musically, there's no real difference between grindcore and goregrind, but lyrically, whereas the first is socially and politically concerned, goregrind, as the name implies, deals with everything related to blood, pathological aspects or accidents with fatal results."[2]

Offshoot genres

Pornogrind

Main article: Pornogrind

Pornogrind (also known as porngrind or pornogore) is a microgenre, which is similar and related to goregrind, that deals with sexual and pornographic themes, hence the name.[6][7] Notable bands include Gut and Cock and Ball Torture.[1][4][8]

See also

• Deathgrind
• Death metal
• Grindcore
• Pornogrind

References

1. Purcell, Natalie J. (2003). Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture. McFarland. pp. 23–24. ISBN 0-7864-1585-1. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
2. Badin, Olivier (2009). "Goregrind". Terrorizer, 181, p.41.
3. Widener, Matthew. Carcass Clones. Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2009-02-27.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
4. "Grind Prix" (2005). Zero Tolerance #004, p. 46.
5. Brandon Stosuy, Show No Mercy, Pitchfork, August 6, 2008. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-10-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Access date: October 14, 2008.
6. Anderson, Vicki. "Running the musical gauntlet". The Press. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
7. Hess, Amanda. "Brick and Mordor: A record store heavy on the metal spins its last gloom and doom". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
8. Mincemoyer, John. "Gore International" (2002). Terrorizer #98, pp. 19-20.