June 13, 2012 | , | 4.5

Catheter, Southwest Doom Violence

Catheter: Southwest Doom Violence

In the genre of grind-core time is of the essence. So when you think a minute long blast of carnage overstays its welcome, imagine how seven years must feel. That’s how long it’s been since Denver’s Catheter last launched a full-length into the crowd. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of the band’s previous material, but from what I’ve heard, Southwest Doom Violence is delivered in the same vein as prior albums — violently and loudly.

A word of advice before hitting play on your audio device of choice — skip the opening track. It’s a minute’s worth of pointless noise. I suggest you just jump head first into the churning mass of “Encapsulation,” as its chunky riffs and dual (tri?) vocal attack spits and barks at you relentlessly. I suppose that after listening to it a few times through now, I do pick up on why the album is titled Southwest Doom Violence, though there’s a definitive edge in favor of the violence over any sort of doom influence. The band has some “slower” riffs that are crusty and could be doom inspired, but for the most part what you’re getting with this album is gnarly grind-core in a similar style to Phobia and Rotten Sound.

With the album’s closing track weighing it at just over five minutes in length, the remaining 16 (intro included) songs blister through your skull in about 23 minutes. That’s not too long at all, but long enough for you to latch onto a couple of pummeling tracks that stand out from the crowd. “Can’t Dream” is a frenzied, rabid attack if ever there was one. “Hypercaine” is all over the place with multiple vocalists (see “Bullshit Business” for a plethora of screamers, as well) and spastic eruptions of fury. “Conspiracy Control” is another song that teeters on being fully out of control, but reigns itself in just in time with some well timed headbanging groove (albeit short-lived). And, “Vile” is pure, unadulterated bludgeoning grind-core.

When all is said and done, Southwest Doom Violence couldn’t be more aptly titled. Catheter deliver the goods in as violent a way as they can. Thick, crushing riffs and manic drum work will plunder your fragile ego while the many barks and screams of the band let loose on your hide like it’s, well, their job. This is without a doubt one of the better grind albums released in 2012.