When thinking about aural pleasure from the Quebec era, I usually get forbidden thoughts and hidden pleasures because of my passion for the Black Metal scene out there. But there is a combo called Soil Of Ignorance that sickens man’s brain too, yet not from a blackened angle, yet from a grinding one. Indeed, this combo might be one of the most prominent Grind-acts from the Quebecois scene, especially known for their many contributions on splits with the likes of, for example, Warsore, Wadge, Disleksick or Archagathus. And now there is another split, with five (new?) bloody pieces of sonic terror and aural horror. Their approach is quite Punk-laden, a mixture of both deadly and traditional Grind, Power-Violence and nasty Hardcore-Punk alike outbursts. It’s fast and sharp, rather universal in approach and execution, yet greatly injected with some crazy samples. Besides the lack of originality, the lack of coherence might cause an irritating effect. Though, my opinion is that this incoherent disconcerting was meant to be that way, and if so (and I do give Soil Of Ignorance the advantage of doubt), then it is a successful decision.
The other side of this 7”single consists of five beautiful hymns (lullabies? elegies?) by L.A.-based quartet Endless Demise. The band consists of (former and current) members of e.g. Excruciating Terror, Goner and Nausea (also the Los Angeles based one, evidently). Their approach lies within the current of the old styled Death-Grind trend anno late Eighties, including the ‘traditional’ dual vocal parts (deep grunts and shrieking screams), the groovy rhythms, and the prominent artillery drum salvos. And yes, the inferior sound quality too is part of the game.
Personally I think Soil Of Ignorance are the winner out of both acts, for their approach has that something specific that keeps the listener attentive; in Endless Demise’s case, that attention might easily disappear because of the lack of variation and the … Damn, WTF, I am sure that every ‘true’ Grind-fan will adore, or at least will like, this vinyl single.