Primate

Primate's vocalist, Kevin Sharp, wrote a year ago in Decibel Magazine about the trials and tribulations the band had in wrangling a record deal to release the original seven-track version of Draw Back a Stump. It wasn't for lack of interest, but the members had contractual obligations with their present labels that conflicted with the new group. Later in the year, not only did the band sign with Relapse, they also added additional rhythm guitars, remixed and remastered the original version and added three previously unreleased tracks. The collaboration between grind and hardcore veterans Sharp (Brutal Truth, Venomous Concept, Purified in Pain), guitarists Mike Brennan (Javelina, the Despised) and Bill Kelliher (Mastodon), bassist/vocalist Dave Whitworth (the Despised, Curmudgeon) and drummer Shayne Huff (the Despised, Curmudgeon) makes for an electrifying debut. "March of the Curmudgeon" encapsulates not only their musical background, but you can also feel the Middle Eastern-influenced riffs found in early Mastodon. "Global Division" and their slightly modernized cover of Black Flag's "Drinking and Driving" are sharp and visceral. "Get The Fuck Off My Lawn" is exactly that: 45 seconds of aggressive, swirling grind. Draw Back a Stump is a must-have album for 2012.