When I decided that I wanted to include a featured label for every couple of months on the site, I knew that the first label would be Razorback Records. There really aren't any labels that have conistently released so many good albums. From the first two compilations to the recent Embalming Theatre cd, everything the label has released looks amazing, and is sure to please all of the death metal and grindcore freaks worldwide. If you are into fast and crazy music, you'll definitely want to visit the Razorback Records site and find out more about the label and what they have to offer.

The Hive:

Ghoul
Frightmare
Embalming Theatre
Birdflesh
CUM
Engorged
Fuck...I'm Dead
Gruesome Stuff Relish
TCME
WTN
Lord Gore
Impetigo
Impaled
Haemmorhage
Machetazo

Interviews:

Frightmare Interview

General Surgery Interview

Reviews:

Frightmare-Midnight Murder Mania
(Razorback, 2003)

I’ve always been very impressed by everything that Razorback has released so far, but this is easily the best thing the label has released so far. Frightmare is basically grinding death metal that takes influences from both the slasher films of the 80’s as well as the early grindcore bands from the 80’s and early 90’s.

Musically, this band rips and tears. It’s like grindcore butting heads with death metal, with some thrash riffing and a hardcore punk rambunctious ness to the entire sound. It’s incredibly energetic and leaves me floored with each listen. I guess you could say they sound similar to label mates Ghoul, both bands being both very energetic and combining thrash with death metal. If you like what Ghoul does, you’ll absolutely be slain by Frightmare. You can expect lots of blast beats and guttural vocals, yet at the same time there are many thrashy/hardcore punk tempo riffs that add a lot to the music.

I usually don’t go into too much detail about the layout and cover of a cd, but this is easily one of the coolest looking cds I have ever seen. The cover was done by Jake from Tales from Uranus comics, and it can only be described as fucking cool. It’s gory, fun and fits the bands style perfectly. The rest of the layout is full of horror pics, and a very cool cartoon drawing inspired by the New York Ripper. All in all this cd is a horror fans nightmare come true.

If you are a fan of horror and grindcore this is a cd you don’t want to miss out on! This album is a doozy and if you aren’t prepared you’ll undoubtedly be left decapitated.

Ghoul-Maniaxe
(Razorback, 2003)

I was a huge fan of We Came for the Dead when it came out. I thought Ghoul's energetic combination of death metal, grindcore and thrash was heads above most of the bands playing similar music. This album is similar to the first album but they have taken the thrash element even further on this cd. You'll hear less blasts, and more mid-tempo double bass filled riffs. The only thing that would really make this a death metal album are the death metal style vocals.

I always see these guys getting compared to Carcass and I really don't see it. Sure, they have the sick dual vocals, but that's as far as the comparison goes for me. These guys are totally thrash influenced. You hear more Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, or Slayer then you do Carcass. I think some people just automatically compare a band to Carcass if they use both low and high vocals. Even Impaled gets the comparison, and that's another band that really doesn't sound like Carcass either. So repeat after me, this is thrashy death metal that does not sound like Carcass.

I'm not sure if I prefer the production on We Came for the Dead or Maniaxe. This sounds good, but I thought the first album had a bit heavier sound to it. This still sounds good, I think I just prefer the guitar tone of the first album. This is a better album all-around though.

Keeping with the tradition of their last album the band has included a cover song. While it was a Megadeth song last time, this time they cover a more traditional song, What a Wonderful World. I kid you not, they didn't even really change the music much. Sure, it's heavier but they kept the melody intact. What they did change however was the lyrics. Pretty fun stuff actually. I've always thought these guys had a sense of humour, which is nice to see in the world of death metal. The almost surf sounding song was different too, and it was pretty damned cool.

This band would definitely appeal to fans of Impaled and Exhumed, but be forewarned. After listening to Ghoul you may not be able to think of those bands in the same light. These guys just destroy pretty much every band playing similar music.

General Surgery/The County Medical Examiners-split cd
(Razorback, 2003)

Razorback has released a gem for all of you sickos out there. These two bands definitely shouldn't be new to anyone involved with the underground scene, and this is quite a powerful combination on one cd.

General Surgery are back and they are ready to rip your fucking head off. This is just what the goregrind scene needed right now. Sure, there are a lot of great bands around right now, but it's nice to see one of the masters getting back together to show them how it's done.

If you haven't heard GS before, well they basically sound indentical to Carcass. They are however tighter then Carcass ever was and play with a lot more energy. I guess it goes without saying that they are faster as well too. So basically think of early Carcass, the blasting simple riffs, sick vocals, and straight forward yet energetic drumming, that's the same formula that General Surgery uses. If you thought Necrology was sick, wait until you hear these 7 new songs.

The County Medial Examiners are also pretty big Carcass fans. They are highly influenced by the masters of gore as well, and pretty much stick to the same formula as General Surgery does. The main difference I'd say is that General Surgery is more influenced by Reek of Putrefaction while TCME is more influenced by Symphonies of Sickness. The slow sininster riffs are more present in this band then they are with General Surgery.

If you are a fan of early Carcass, or have General Surgery's Necrology EP, you'll want this split cd. It's worth the price alone for the new General Surgery tracks. Throw in the new TCME tracks and this is a cd you can't afford to miss out on.

Contact:

Razorback Records
PO Box 321
Farmingville, NY 11738 USA

Email: WNocera@aol.com

Link: Razorback Records