Leng Tch'e

The latest album, and fifth offering, from Belgium's Leng Tch'e, dubbed Hypomanic, is one hell of a brutal release. But with a moniker like Leng Tch'e, meaning "slow slicing" ― the name of an Imperial Chinese torture technique ― what else could be expected? The self-proclaimed "razorgrind" band, the title of their first split EP, combine death metal with grindcore and add elements of hardcore, doom and stoner rock. The result of this mishmash is utterly intense and ripping. Hypomanic's first track, "Wirehead Imbeciles," starts with an unruly death metal riff and right off the bat it's evident that Leng Tch'e mean business. The hooks within the album's 14 tracks aren't trampled by the speed and fury that come and go throughout. Many of the songs, like "Misleading Innuendos" and "Death's Head Cockroach," are extreme and vicious, while others ("Refined Torture" and "Violence Does Everyone Justice") are a little slower and have a lot more groove. The production by Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Brujeria, Dimmu Borgir) is also outstanding and new vocalist Serge Kasongo exhibits excellent range within his gurgling growls, fitting in well with the instruments. Despite a new line-up with a few other member changes, Leng Tch'e live up to their name with Hypomanic.