Landmine Marathon - Sovereign Descent

[DethMaiden]

Haven't heard too much buzz about this record on here or elsewhere on the internet, but it's KILLER, definitely one of my early favorites for 2010. For those not in the know, Landmine Marathon is a semi-new death/grind outfit from Phoenix with, yes, a hot chick for a singer. But since when is sounding like an update on Bolt Thrower and Carcass trendy? Since never, so hold thy tongue.

Grace Perry is on top of her game here; she's really carving out a unique vocal personality for herself at this point, and her lyrics are getting up into that J.R. Hayes/Julie Christmas/Phil McSorley stratosphere of brutal, wordy instability, she just needs to clean up the poetry a little and she'll be in that top echelon.

Another thing I really like about this album is the way there's sort of a constant muddy, raw mood prevailing, but out of nowhere there'll be a melody. And not a big Arch Enemy-style melody that kills the vibe, it's just played on one guitar, and the rest of the disgusting sound continues beneath it, usually including Perry's voice. It's just really rewarding every time one of these melodies ekes out of the mix.

Not much of a review, but who's heard this?

EDIT: Best tracks for me right now are "Exist," "Shadows Fed to Tyrants," and "Steadfast Hate."

[idrinkwine732]

Originally Posted by DethMaiden

sounding like an update on Bolt Thrower and Carcass

Sold.

[AnglOvDeth]

Good review, and thanks for posting it!
Rusted Eyes Awake was a much better album, in my opinion, but Sovereign Descent does not fail in the slightest.
I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

[mastodon421]

This record abosolutely crushes. It's a shame more people don't about this band they are something special. Also if anyone gets the chance see them live Grace Perry is fucking nuts!

[Natrlhi]

Well, you knew I'd be coming to this party, son!

Originally Posted by idrinkwine732

Sold.

Yeah, and the thing is, he's not exaggerating. LM really do sound like those two bands - and some other excellent outfits as well (Pig Destroyer, Napalm Death, Entombed...). They're absolutely worth checking out, and for many other reasons besides Grace (although she's definitely one of the biggest reasons!).

Originally Posted by AnglOvDeth

Rusted Eyes Awake was a much better album, in my opinion, but Sovereign Descent does not fail in the slightest.

Fair enough, although this one is growing on me by leaps and bounds. Give it time, and you may feel the same. This album doesn't have a riff that's quite as filthy good as the one in "Bile Towers", for example, but it's still a well-executed album with great production and solid songwriting throughout. (I do know what you mean, though. )

Originally Posted by mastodon421

if anyone gets the chance see them live Grace Perry is fucking nuts!

Absofuckinglutely!

[larvtard]

I like it, but it's kinda repetitive... "Cruel Policy" is AMAZING, though. That riff is fucking killer

[bobisdead911]

I dl it, sounds a lot like Rusted Eyes, just a bit edgier, not among my top favs, but I like them, I think Grace has a lot to do with that tho

[Epidemic Reign]

I was really looking forward to this album, just haven't gotten around to getting ahold of it yet. I'll have to do that very soon.