Full of Hell- Amber Mote In The Black Vault

Image Credit: Sid Sowder flickr

Artist: Full of Hell

Album: Amber Mote in the Black Vault EP

Record Label: Self-released

Release Date: 8/1/2016

Though the sub-genre Grindcore has always been somewhat synonymous with Napalm Death, not nearly enough coverage of said genre relays its history of re-invention and artistry. So far this year Agoraphobic Nosebleed have stepped up to the podium to prove otherwise via the Arc EP, and frightfully young US quartet Full of Hell have extended their already evident sense of idiosyncracy on their brief but savage new EP. 

Some critics have pin-pointed the sense of humour that exists in grindcore via the ouevre of the likes of Brutal Truth, but Full of Hell's back catalogue has almost nothing that approaches warmth. A far more common string to their assault bow is a literary sense of bleakness, cited from the off here by Amber Mote...'s title. Opener 'Halogen Bulb' reeks of filthy, bone-sawing lucre, but both 'Amber Mote' and 'Barb and Sap' prove how expansive and manouverable the band can be within the two minute boundary, the latter thrusting its sociability grimly with the inclusion of frazzled vocal samples. 

The closing cover of Melvins' 'Oven' is a neatly respectful and individualistic touch as well. Though the EP bares just three bouts of new material, and holding one's own in the extreme metal underbelly requires spark, Amber Mote... is another signifier that whether they're slightly overting expectations within their craft or collaborating with the likes of Merzbow, Full of Hell have a strong grasp on extreme music's appetite for innovation.