Webdriver Torso seems to incorporate the elements of slamming brutal death metal while adding elements of electronic, creating a hybrid style of "Cybergrind"! The band has dropped their recent EP called “Data Tribes”, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it.
There’s already a particular set of sound you imagine while tuning in for slamming brutal death metal, and Webdriver Torso doesn’t disappoint. “Devoured By Malware” and “Dead Bandwidth” have vile, gut wrenching guitar riffs with interesting grooves and dynamic shifts. While you can technically call them Cybergrind too, the electronic elements seem to find a place from henceforth. With grind elements incorporated along with the rapid drums “No Proxy” might be the strongest track from the record. The electronic and synth elements, along with the brutal slamming mixtures provide the absolute gut-punch! With an intro that sets you off totally “Technoerotic Asphyxiation” is again along the same lines as “No Proxy”; also how erotic is that for a title? Along with the sheer brutality,the title track “Data Tribes” is a bit thrash-death oriented with passages of half-time breakdowns which are surely headbanging moments.
To sum up “Data Tribes”, all I can say is sheer brutality with an added pinch of electronic elements. The reverb and wider wall of sound is common for bands like these, and Webdriver Torso nails that. While you can complain about the lack of ideas in creating memorable passages, few instances do hit you hard. The drums almost blast throughout the runtime and the vocals are deep low gutturals. Few of the highlights include moments of OG slam riffs from “Technoerotic Asphyxiation” and “No Proxy” as a whole. The “Untitled” intro is a weird electronic buildup track that leads to no climax, and is an odd choice for the record as a whole.
It's important to understand that genres like these appeal to a sheer closed niche of people, even metalheads. Webdriver Torso creates the wall of sound that is very much effective for the energy of slamming brutal death metal. Dissecting its elements and tracks of barely two minutes is pointless. The raw brutal energy is what matters - and Webdriver Torso creates tracks to which is for fun pleasurable listening experience and to which extreme-heads will definitely nod their heads; at least I did!
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Website: https://lifelesschasm.bandcamp.com/album/data-tribes
Genre: Slamming Brutal Death Metal / Cybergrind
Label: Lifeless Chasm Records
Worldwide Release: March, 2022
