Instinct for Existence

Over the years, I've invested nearing-foolishly blind confidence in a select handful of Grindcore labels - whenever No Escape, Bizarre Leprous, and Razorback mention anything, I feel my panties moisten in anticipation, as it's very rare that the trifecto in question fails to amuse, rock, or occasionally tear mad Goatse-ass.

But today's focal point is none other than our Czech/US buddies, BLP and the album that put them in the forefront on my radar screens - Germany's heavy-as-a-burlap-sack-full-of-Ox-testicles Goregrind act, Utopie. Utopie have apparently been around for quite a while, even though their 1999 final full length, Instinct For Existence, was the first exposure I had to the group.

After a skullfuckingly horrendous and unbelievably long crusade, I finally gobbled up as much of the group's work as I could possibly give a shit about, but not before forsaking the possibility of a just and loving god. I have to say, it was worth it, even though I came to the conclusion shortly after that the album at hand is easily their best material to date. Instinct For Existence is 17 tracks and a little under 50 minutes of some of the most incredibly solid and entertaining Goregrind I've ever heard, taking influence from plenty of legendary acts that I've long ago cemented into the upper echelons of my mind. From the opening sample on My Blood Through Your Veins-My Words Through Your Mouth to the noisy bass-heavy untitled finale, comparisons can be made to Hideous Mangleus, Dead, Sanitys Dawn, Blood, and early Cock And Ball Torture but these guys definately carved out a deliciously downtuned niche of their own, packed with meaty grooves, razor sharp blasts, and pummeling vocal tradeoffs laden with shifters and silliness.

The pointless Short Erection series continues with parts 9, 10, and 11, and somehow only enhances the band's overall appeal, demonstrating a sense of not necessarily obligatory but especially fitting to this style of music. The drumming here is suprisingly tight, and albeit not the most technical stuff ever written, keeps the band from ever dragging into monotony. Standout tracks include the opener with the really long name I'm too lazy to re-type, Stop Viagra-Smoke Pot, The Way To Be An Autocannibal, Manipulated And Dismembered Like A Piece Of Shit, and Psychopathological Menstruationorgasm.

The most amazing part of this release though, is that the quality isn't hindered by it's suprisingly long running time (for a Goregrind release at least...) and keep my ears glued to speakers constantly - something very, very few bands have ever been able to pull off.
Basically, if it's over 25 minutes, I require a half-hour intermission between halves. Shut up, my brain literally sweating with unbridaled intellect and wit. Dick. Anyway, if you love your Goregrind chunky, well-produced, tinged with humor, and in the vein of the aformentioned acts, don't hesistate to start your search for this OOP masterpiece. Fucking excellent stuff.