STEROIDS (CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN GABBER MEGAMIX)
Experimental Hip Hop, Electronic, Digital Hardcore.
Self-Released.
Listening Format: Digital
For a band that came very close to splitting up a couple of years ago, it is fascinating that Death Grips' output since that point has been arguably even better than their earlier material (which is also a fine selection). The Sacramento experimental trio have delivered some kind of release each year, despite a tension in the air, as if the wheels could fly off at any minute and this band could crash and explode before our very eyes. So their frequent output is surely a good thing. Last year's full length album 'Bottomless Pit' is arguably their best album to date. As wild and mad as anything they have done previously, but it saw the trio pushing further forward in terms of structure, songwriting, performance and production. The addition of roaring guitars and blastbeat drums gave them even more ammunition and intensity to work with.
'Steroids' is a 22 minute long EP (or mixtape perhaps) that has dropped out of the blue and is free to listen to on digital platforms. Although the 22 minute "megamix" flows continuously with no breaks, it does sound like it is multiple tracks stitched together into one sphere. The title crudely references Gabber music, which by definition is Techno music played at speeds exceeding 200bpm. In terms of production and craft, Death Grips have kind of gone back to the roots of their early works like 'Ex Military' and 'No Love Deep Web' to deliver something much more crass, and messy. Suitably so, as 'Steroids' does not let up for one moment. It is full of blaring, pounding, relentlessly fast beats and drums assembled by Flatlander and Zach Hill, that just pulverise the listener from the very first second. MC Ride roars and bellows a load of F-bombs right off the bat. Death Grips don't know the meaning of the word subtlety and that is the way we like it.
In terms of production, 'Steroids' is extremely busy. Almost comically so. There are so many fractured rhythms, loud and abrasive samples and sound effects whiz by with very little rhyme or reason. Everything here is assembled to be ADHD levels of disorientating, maddening and ear rupturing, which stays true to actual Gabber music. But it strangely sounds absolutely glorious because of this, and that is because of the performance the band deliver here. Death Grips sound so gloriously urgent and passionate throughout, creating an absolute racket and just attacking the senses of the listener with no holds barred. The trio deliver some of their most playful, unrestrained and free-form material yet. Even though it sounds as mad as a badger, Death Grips are sounding at their most radical and expressive throughout this utter madness.
I am so glad that this EP only lasts 22 minutes, because my brain literally could not take an entire album's worth of this insanity. It is the audio equivalent of going to a blaring 4am drug adled techno rave in a warehouse in the middle of an industrial estate... With a sub-machine gun! Death Grips sound like an inflamed meteor that is ready to destroy anything and everything in its path. The trio continue to surprise, excite and ruin the minds of even the most dedicated of their fanbase. It feels like this band can do just about anything right now and it will sound fresh, exciting and mindblowing. 8/10.
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