Leng Tch'e "Marasmus" (Relapse)
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Thursday. Jul 12, 1:28 PM
Famous grindsters get a bit bland.

Is it just me or does this sound a bit soft and fluffy? Sometimes a new sense of musicality means you no longer can represent the genre you were once one of the leaders of. And partly, we can say that about the newest Leng Tch’e release. Marasmus is extreme, but in parts leaves the brutal grindcore of yore for grooves and arrangements that resemble one too many bands I don’t even want to mention. For the most part, the record retains the empty velocity (“Lucid Denial”) of most grind bands and the pig-like vocalization of Boris. But grind is not all about speed, and the five guys from Leng Tch’e know this. Tracks constantly rub and thrust intimately like they belong to a nastier version of, and I may get a bit of crap for this), a nü metal band (the beginning of “1-800 Apathy”) before becoming generic grind fodder. On others, machine gun construction shoots off in one direction before coming to an uncelebrated pace (“Tightrope Propaganda”), while often the grind gives way to thrash (“Nonsense Status”). Not all this is bad or mediocre, but I have the feeling our expectations were set a little higher.

On “Confluence of Consumers,” Leng Tch’e find a key to taking their music to the next level. It’s a mortal key, because it could spell the loss of all their fanbase, especially of those loyalists who think change means selling out. But on it, the band run through hyper fast grindcore to a skeletical sound to a jumpy thrash riff to a low-tuned groove: it is perhaps the most musical Leng Tch’e have ever been, and it is refreshing. They ought to be careful, though: the rock and roll grind of “Abstained” is (for the first 35 seconds) a disaster in the works. Then the song turns grindcore only to get back to some rock and grind that is anything but good. For what it is as a whole, though, Marasmus is a bit of a letdown. It’s very competent grindcore, but we know they can do better. On the upside, the art department from Relapse deserves our applause once again. The insert is gorgeous, with several transparent layers that give form and reason to the artwork. Great job.
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Hansel Merchor

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