Gridlink

Longhena

BY Mike CrossleyPublished Feb 14, 2014

8
Jon Chang's Gridlink certainly represents one of the most intense listens in extreme music. An evolution of the legendary Discordance Axis, this modern, nearly futuristic grindcore outfit still manages to sound like music played by people, albeit really fast people, like drummer Bryan Fajardo (Kill The Client).

Recorded over five days in Kyoto, Japan, Longhena is Gridlink's third and final offering. Lyrically, it seems to leave behind the science fiction themes of the previous records and focus more on what reads like a narrative of personal loss and death. Chang's vocals are immensely cathartic, consistently shrill and blistering, immediately recognizable and unmatched by any contemporary.

As harsh and atonal as this record can be, it is rife with excellent melodies and memorable riffs, however briefly they might last. It carries lots of variety, even including a couple of beautiful strings and clean guitar arrangements. The musicianship and sheer emotional ferocity of this record will leave you gasping for air.
(Handshake Inc.)

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