Monday, May 17, 2010

Magnicidal Tendencies: Singapore Will Rule Your Sorry Ass. Again.

The pixels had barely dried at the end of 2009, which I declared the year of Singapore’s ascendence based on the strength of Wormrot’s monstrous debut alone, when I had it pointed out to me I’d been missing another outstanding grind trio from that Asian nation. I was totally remiss in somehow missing Magnicide’s stunning 2009 album Rise to Annihilation, but Deathgrindfreak, whose eyes are sharper than mine, quickly straightened me out. I owe that guy a cold mug of his favorite fermented beverage.
Quite simply, if Wormrot is Singapore’s Insect Warfare, then Magnicide is that country’s 324: a chunky, crusty grind assault on the senses and purveyors of the finest grindcore didgeridoo since “Godplayer.”
But if I’m late to the party, it’s my own fucking fault for not paying better attention because clearly I’ve been missing out.
“Actually, grind music has been in Asia for such a long time,” Magnicide bassist Mameng said. “Only maybe because we are in Asia that the world won’t give us another second opinion, but with the internet and such, Asian music, in this case grind music, is easily heard throughout the world. Grind bands in Asia particularly has its own style.”
Along with guitarist Iem and drummer Jali, Memeng beats out a brutal, satisfying stew of grind and crust punk that the trio honed over nearly 20 years spent kicking around the Singapore music scene.
“Myself and Jali used to played in old grindcore band named Demisor,” Memeng said. “You could check it out in Metal Encyclopedia, I think. Jali also played in Edora, Secret 7 while I played guitars in Bombarde. Iem played guitars in a band called Hasrat till we roped him in to Magnicide and the rest is history.”
And yes, that history includes time spent collectively raging to 324. Read pretty much any blog post on Magnicide at random and the Japanese band’s name will variably be mentioned. Not only does the band toil in the same crusted mine as their doppelgangers, but the vocal approach bears a distinct similarity as well. For Memeng and Magnicide, they accept their influences can be so easily divined, but also recognize the pitfalls that come with being too closely associated with another band.
“Yeah 324 is big influence on us,” he said. “It’s the style of grindcore that we hope to achieve one day. What I mean is the style that it is original and grind but really blows your mind! With brilliant songwriting, great lyrics and delivery. A good professional sound is also important for us to achieve our goal. To be compare with 324 is a heavy burden but it’s a nice compliment.
Anyway much grind bands influence us from time to time but we dig other genres.”
For those of us (read: me) who were late to the party, we’re about to be graced by even more Singaporean goodness from the trio. Splits with Black Hole of Calcutta and Punished Earth are in the works and Magnicide are already talking about their next full length.
This time I will not be caught unaware.

14 comments:

Zmaj said...

Ace band. That s/t tape is still my favorite.

Alex Layzell said...

Magnicide are killer, another amazingly good Grindcore band from Asia (Japan) is Unholy Grave they sort of remind of Agathocles, not because they play mincecore but due to the number of split releases they have.

Andrew Childers said...

that pic up ^above^ is actually magnicide with unholy grave. speaking of, i need to grave their new album.

PatrickDM said...

if that the are shooting for a style similar to 324, it def sparks interest for me.

Unknown said...

I don't get Unholy Grave. Maybe it's just me.

Alex Layzell said...

Shanetera, early Unholy Grave was death metal/Grind, some of their later stuff is just noise really, I recommend you check out crucified by them, I love that release, and think you might like it too.

Zmaj said...

I hear that Unholy Grave is absolutely killer live, but I've not seen 'em yet. Will try and make it happen this year, though.

I mean, I do understand UG's appeal. It's the kind of stuff that you just NEED to play loud as fuck to discover, erm, what a spirited attack on the senses it is.

Talking about Unholy Grave, who'll be the first to throw out an obligatory anti-terrorismism?

Andrew Childers said...

i believe that would be you, sir. you have the floor.

Zmaj said...

Stop terrorism or die!





... Thank you very much. Great audience. Thank you.

Bill Willingham IV, Esquire said...

I've got "Revoltage" by UG, and it's interesting how the production changes every 4 songs or so. Absolutely lofi as fuck, but (can you call grind charming?) charming.

I've still yet to listen to 324, so I'll go there before I hit up Magnicide.

Unknown said...

God, 324 owns all that I am.
I see the comparison to 324 here, but I also hear Gridlink and Pig Destroyer/Kill the Client sometimes. I guess less crust, more hardcore. Good nonetheless. GG

Anonymous said...

Hi folks, If your are looking for Magnicide s/t debut-cassette or the Rise Of..-cassette. Email me at straineyesgmailcom. Mazmi//

Anonymous said...

...opps! sorrryyy its straineyes_at_gmail_dot_com. Mazmi//

Anonymous said...

Fyi u can get full cd on hg fact japan, split 7"
wit Noisear, split 7" wit Half Gorilla, split Lp wit Toxic Revolution on Tvg records... Check it on myspace.com/magnicide666

Grind on!!