Review MAMMOTH GRINDER “Undying Spectral Resonance” – EP

Mammoth Grinder was formed in 2006 in Austin, Texas, and it was in 2008 that the four-piece band released their first full-length album, “Rage and Ruin”. With “Undying Spectral Resonance,” the band has a new EP in the pipeline, featuring five songs of blistering death metal.

Founding member Chris Ulsh is the driving force behind the project, while the rest of the line-up includes Ryan Parrish (drums), who not only plays in Iron Reagan, but also joined Mammoth Grinder a few years ago. Andy Horn and Sebastian Phillips are the new guys who debut on the new EP.

“Undying Spectral Resonance” is a massive release that begins with “Corpse of Divinant”. A sinister intro kicks off the opener, and the moment a vicious riff breaks the silence, the track develops into a brutal death metal outburst.

Mammoth Grinder play a kind of old school death metal. Each of the songs doesn’t rely on high speed, although there are furious solos and screaming guitars. Still, there is a strong groove that pushes each song to the limit, and what works with the opener finds an excellent continuation with the title track.

“Undying Spectral Resonance” is slower than the opener and you will have an evil grin facing you while listening to this riff grinding tune. Placing an instrumental interlude on an EP is a brave decision and although it helps the flow of this release, another song would have been a better choice. That said, “Call From the Frozen Stxy” is a dystopian and atmospheric interlude that leads the listener into “Decrease the Peace”. The latter is a Florida-rooted death metal stomper that forces some headbanging.

“Obsessed With Death” is the last track on this 14-minute mini-album. Like the opener, it is an up-tempo track with roaring riffs and growls that give you goosebumps.

Mammoth Grinder picks up where the guys left off with ” Cosmic Crypt”. Merciless death metal challenges speakers and amplifiers as each of these songs is a blast that shows why death metal has such a fascination. This EP features music that comes straight from the abyss, with an intensity that you can’t ignore.