RSS Feed


SOUL GRINDER
Filth Encrusted

Self-released (2023)
Rating: 8.5/10

Last year I reviewed a rather interesting EP (Queen Corrosia) from this Portland, Oregon-based thrash act and I’m pleased to say they’ve returned with some more vibrant cover art and killer music. Soul Grinder are fronted by the mercurial April Dimmick, who combines Mad Max attire with Wendy O’Williams, while musically the trio churns out a violent yet melodic and sneering mix of Slayer, Exodus, Venom and just about any other noise you can muster from the early-to-mid 80s.

In a sense, the name Soul Grinder doesn’t do the band justice; Dimmick’s aura is very much shock rock and the music deserves a moniker less bland. Even so, with their debut full-length opus Soul Grinder churns out some nasty shock thrash that prompts me to slap on my old VHS tapes of Street Trash and Class Of Nuke ’Em High!

Of all the contemporary bands I’ve heard, Soul Grinder is one of the most authentic at tapping into the 80s thrash vibe. Imagine if you will any Leather Leone band on hyper mode and that’s what this Portland band offers and yet with gnarly hooks. The likes of ‘Melting Spree’, ‘Your World Is Ours’, ‘Overload’ and ‘All Is Dust’ burn the ears with their bewitching vocal rasps and sneering thrash, and all wrapped up in that garish cover art. The demonic chugs of ‘Siege Breaker’, the equally mid-tempo scowls of the title track and the diverse majesty of closing song ‘A Foul River’, it’s all here and layered with a scorching fire.

Soul Grinder gets stronger and stronger with each outing and now it’s time for the world to take note.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share