Suffering Mind (Poland) - Lifeless (2022)

 

Poland's Suffering Mind have been active since 2007, and have made their name playing ferocious, unpretentious sledgehammer grindcore with an explicitly anti-fascist political bent. They've released music across an array of physical media formats, and frequently release splits and compilations with years between full-length albums. This release is their first full-length since 2014's Waste Farm, and that distinction understandably comes with some expectations.

The moment the album's intro dialog sample ends and the band blasts into life, it's clear those expectations will be more than met. This is Suffering Mind at their essence. The recording sounds full and vital, while still feeling scrappy enough to maintain the necessary DIY spirit. This isn't the band's sellout record, nor is it one where a 15-year-old band loses their touch after all these years.

On the A side are 15 tracks in 8 minutes and 45 seconds, the bulk of the track listing save the single track on the flip side. It's a sprint, with unrelenting, tin-snared drumming and a cascade of guitar riffs in place of a starter pistol. That sprint is spurred forward by deathgrowled lead vocals punctuated by tortured high screams and the occasional midrange bark. 

The B side closes with an 8 minute, 16 second-long track sound collage, with dialog samples, noise, and sporadic blasts of grind. While it may not be what the average listener signed up for on the A side, it's an easy listen and doesn't wear out its welcome. I can't see myself picking it out to play on its own. I also didn't skip it during my listens, though, which I can't say for all atmospheric pieces appended to the back of grindcore albums.

Suffering Mind are still making heartstopping independent grindcore while managing to not sound like they're retracing their steps. This isn't a record with narrative theming or innovative stylistic integration, and it has no need to be. It's got blasts, it's got riffs, it's got growls and it's got everything it needs.

Lifeless is available on vinyl from 625 Thrash via To Live Lie Records' webstore. It is also available on vinyl via Psychocontrol Records' webstore. It is available digitally (split into 2 tracks for A and B side) via Psychocontrol Records' Bandcamp.