Nyia/Antigama

All hail Poland, where extreme experimental metal is alive and well, as this 16-minute split CD proves. Heck, this could have been a four-minute disc and it still would have annihilated these guys’ North American colleagues in crime. Nyia are just getting better, combining a stuttering, staggering technical grind and hardcore sound with melodic vocals and an atmospheric edge. Somewhere between Knut, mid-era Napalm Death and Tool? Sure. The songs have crystal-clear production, which brings out the maniacal drumming, definitely the band’s strongest point. Then it’s everyone’s favourite weirdo-grinders Antigama, with another handful of songs filled with bizarre song structures, left-field drumming moves and ear-shattering riffs. These guys are the future of grindcore, and it sounds oh so sweet. Man, this is one refreshing CD. Who would have thought the best thing I’ve heard so far this year would be a split CD EP?