County Grind is counting down the best local albums in South Florida. Monitor our progress here.
While the release of the band's full-length debut ThunderNoise won't drop until January, we'd be remiss to ignore the moody three-song EP by the heavy-rockin', dirty riffin' grrrls of Shroud Eater. (Sure, drummer Felipe Torres is a dude, but we'll deal.)
Formerly known as the Righteous Devices, as Shroud Eater the band has
become a favorite among tri-county area stoner types. This self-titled
and mostly instrumental EP turns out slowed-down, down-tuned gritty rock
that incorporates psych-y guitars, more-techy metal compositions, and
punk influences a la Jesus Lizard or Kylesa.
Vocalist and guitarist Jeannie Saiz's gravelly larynx churns out beastly
rasps -- estrogen does wonders in maintaining a frequency that
precludes that wholly annoying and clichéd demon growl -- and Torres'
drums are full-frontal and seamless, giving a bit of order to the
furious grooves Saiz and bassist Janette Valentine lay down. Oh, and did
I mention it's mixed by Torche bassist Jonathan Nunez? If the
full-length keeps up the momentum, despite a cold South Florida January,
we'll have some uncompromising and fearsomely heavy face-melting to
deal with.
Top Track: "We Are Beasts"
