Tuesday, December 15, 2009

G&P Review: Squash Bowels

Squash Bowels
Grind Virus

Willowtip
Lucky man that I am, I recently did battle with H1N1, and "Squash Bowels" pretty much sums up how I felt for that week. Not because of the flu, which consisted of a cough, savage fever and a week shambling around the house in a bathrobe like an Ozzy impersonator. No, the intestinal torture was a byproduct of the Tamiflu I was prescribed. What nobody told me was the side effects of Tamiflu include gut wrenching stomach cramps and the kind of projectile vomiting that would do Linda Blair proud.
I would love to have been there for that drug pitch meeting. "Well, we have this amazing flu remedy, but the side effects are worse than having the flu."
Grind Virus, Squash Bowels’ first full length solo effort since 2005’s Love Songs, is a particularly infectious strain because the Polish trio (featuring Arthur, the bass player from Exit Wounds) isn’t determined to break land speed records. Squash Bowels realize it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing. So they ease off the accelerate enough to bring the old school crush of Repulsion worshipers Cretin (portions of “Shit Oneself” sound enough like “Cock Fight” a paternity test may be in order) blended with the body horror fixation of Sewn Shut (with whom they’ve shared a split). The loose, relaxed approach gives “Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Ass” – a seminar in grindcore songwriting economy – an almost thrashy tinge and spotlights the brain drill attack of “Two Cows and Monkey.” When Squash Bowels do cute loose with the speed, drummer Marius’ crashing, strident style gives the blasting a sense of impact.
In an era of overblown swine flu panic, Squash Bowels are a very effective curative. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting and a profound sense of satisfaction.

9 comments:

Bill Willingham IV, Esquire said...

Someone posted a link to a song from this album in the grind thread on the metal forum I frequent, and I was impressed!

Honestly, other than Carcass (that "Grind Madness at the BBC" comp is rad, btw) and a few of their imitators, I'm not too big on the gory side of grindcore. This was cool shit, though. I will investigate further.

206 said...

Your investigations will prove fruitful. Quality release here.

atanamar said...

I totally enjoyed this album. I'm also not usually into the gore, but Grind Virus is pretty fantastic. Right now it's on my list of albums to buy in January when I won't feel guilty for buying so many damned CDs this year.
Also, sorry to hear you got the squash bowels.

Unknown said...

I just heard Love Songs, I need to hear this.

Andrew Childers said...

i actually wouldn't classify squash bowels as gore. maybe it's just me, but i think they have more in common with repulsion than carcass, more goofy horror than regurgitating of gibblets.
it may be artificial, but i've always made a distinction between body horror and gore. body horror tends to be more cronenbergian, your body turning against you. i think of gore as more of inflicting violence on others. is this making any sense?

Bill Willingham IV, Esquire said...

You are making me think of that Demilich song about levitating bowels.

But you ARE making sense to me. Basically, the more something sounds like Last Days of Humanity the less likely I am going to like it. This doesn't, so I think I do.

atanamar said...

I'll gladly accept your distinction - makes sense.

For me there's usually an inverse relationship between how seriously a band takes themselves and how much I like them. Must explain why I like Squash Bowels.

206 said...

Glad you said it G/P. I feel the same way but completely failed to articulate it.

Andrew Childers said...

good to see i'm not totally over thinking this stuff.