What is it with Grind bands and putting rotting skulls on the covers for their releases? Along with the nice ode to Repulsion, the music on Manic Scum's newest EP "Better Left Undead" also follows suit as there is definitely some Repulsion worshiping going on here, but also some clear Impetigo, Brutal Truth and Napalm Death influences thrown in for good measure.
With seven tracks that add up to just a little over 11 minutes, there really isn't much to say about this EP. Every track is extremely ferocious and possesses that uncontrollable frenzy of energy that drives the listener batshit crazy, with some catchy midpaced riffs that are pushed to the extreme with unrelenting blast beats, the occasional death metal styled tremolo bursts and the low end vocals that top everything off. Well, the last track "Entombed for Eternity" does have some kind of melodic riff going on at the beginning that sets up the bleak atmosphere for the rest of the track, but all in all every song here fits the same mold and doesn't try to portray Manic Scum as some super original group of hipsters trying their hand at making Grindcore. Any fan of the aforementioned bands will definitely welcome "Better Left Undead" into their music collection, and personally I can't wait to hear more material from these guys.
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Highlights
"Wormfood"
"Undead Rising"
"Entombed for Eternity"
Final Rating
4.2/5 or 84%.