Review: Escuela Grind Hit the Nail on the Head with Latest EP DDEEAATTHHMMEETTAALL

Escuela Grind just released the third record in their fun-but-heavy subgenre trilogy, DDEEAATHHMEETTAALL.

Preceded by two other EPs, PPOOWWEERRVVIIOOLLEENNCCEE and GGRRIINNDDCCOORREE, this record is, as the title suggests, the band’s attempt at pinning down the elusive and filthy sound that defines modern death metal.

Out January 12 via MNRK Heavy, the record was recorded with Will Killingsworth, mixed by Kurt Ballou, and mastered by Nick Townsend. The EP houses four new songs including lead singles “Ball and Chain,” as well as “Meat Magnet,” featuring a guest appearance by Napalm Death vocalist Barney Greenway.

First of all, anyone thinking this won’t be heavy as hell, or that the band won’t nail that essential sound, are sorely mistaken. Each song offers something different that make this EP, although short and sweet, absolute essential listening for fans of either the band or the genre. The album kicks off with “Ball and Chain,” a song they released ahead of the EP and shared a video for. It’s the perfect introduction to the album, showing right off the bat that their beat-down, slightly-oldschool-influenced brand of death metal is going to hold up.

Next is “Punishment Ritual,” which is the heaviest and most hardcore driven songs on the album. This one is bound to make for some violent mosh pits—participated in with nothing but love, of course. It’s definitely a standout from the full EP.

“Abyssal Plane” is also a lot of fun. By virtue of it being the one that isn’t a single, doesn’t have an impressive guest, and isn’t the clear banger of the short record, it could easily get lost as the least memorable song on a short and memorable EP. But I don’t think that will happen, as it’s spacey, almost trippy riffing makes this one to take notice of for fans of the genre’s deep cuts.

“Meat Magnet” mostly got praise for featuring Greenway’s vocals, and of course, that’s a great get for the band, and Barney nails it. But even aside from the star power, it’s a really solid track, heavy, s little old-school, and the perfect note to end the EP on.

We can’t get enough of the EP, and if you want to hear these heavy songs along with the others from their discography, check out their tour dates which kick off this week.

Escuela Grind’s DDEEAATTHHMMEETTAALL is available on January 12 via MNRK Heavy. You can preorder your copy today.

Escuela Grind tour dates:

   with support from Come Meirda and Slow Pulse

   January 10 Middletown, NY         Quinnz Pinz 
   January 11 Amityville, NY            Amityville Music Hall
   January 12 Mechanicsburg, PA   Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
   January 13 Washington, DC        Songbyrd
   January 14 Columbia, SC            New Brookland Tavern
   January 15 Atlanta, GA                Bogg’s Social

   with support from Bonginator, Frog Mallet, Slow Pulse

January 16 New Orleans, LA        Siberia
   January 17 Houston, TX               Eighteen Ten Ojemen
   January 18 Dallas, TX                  Cheap Steaks

   with support from Bonginator and Slow Pulse

   January 19 Austin, TX                  Mohawk 
   January 20 San Antonio, TX        Vibes Underground
   January 21 El Paso, TX               Dungeon Hell Paso
   January 22 Albuquerque, NM      The Launchpad
   January 23 Mesa, AZ                   Nile Underground

   with support from Take Offense, Bonginator, Slow Pulse

   January 24 San Diego, CA.          Brick By Brick
   January 25 Santa Ana, CA           La Santa
   January 26 Los Angeles, CA        The Paramount

   with support from Take Offense, Bonginator

   January 27 Fresno, CA                  Full Circle
   January 28 Oakland, CA                9 Lives
   January 29 Eugene, OR                John Henry’s
   January 30 Portland, OR               Twilight
   January 31 Vancouver, BC            The Cobalt
   February 1 Seattle, WA                 Vera Project
   February 2 Boise, ID                     The Shredder
   February 3 Salt Lake City, UT       Salt City Seamers
   February 4 Denver, CO                 Moe’s
   February 5 Omaha, NE                 Reverb Lounge
   February 6 Sioux Falls, SD           Remedy
   February 7 Des Moines, IA           Lefty’s Live Music

   with support from Take Offense, Brat, Bonginator

   February 8 Chicago, IL                  Reggies
   February 9 Detroit, MI                   Sanctuary
   February 10 Indianapolis, IN         Atomic Bowling
   February 11 Columbus, OH           Ace Of Cups
   February 12 Cleveland, OH           No Class
   February 13 Pittsburgh, PA           The Shred Shed

   with support from Take Offense, Brat

February 14 York, PA                     Skid Row Garage
   February 15 Philadelphia, PA.       Kung Fu Necktie
   February 16 Brooklyn, NY             TV Eye
   February 17 Boston, MA                Sonia