My latest probe into the realm of grind-laden brutality has uncovered this two-song demo from the New England death machine known as Life At Zero. On first listen, I was amazed at the tight production, which is damn near perfect in every respect. Every instrument can be heard without straining, which a remarkable feat in and of itself. Musically, Life At Zero are treading a path that emphasizes heavy, yet coherent riffs which are played over fairly conventional rhythms — but even so, there are enough tempo variations and shifting themes to stave off monotony. With this in mind, I would tend to question the band’s decision to dwell on the slower material when they can obviously execute the faster, more exhilarating parts with equal precision. To state this another way, these songs generally stay within the parameters of mid-paced death metal, but it’s those moments when they start pushing into grind territory that I find most exciting.

Before I press the issue any further, I should mention that the two tracks in question are only a small sample of LAZ’s upcoming full-length CD, which might already be available by the time you read this. Personally, I think it will be interesting to see whether or not this sample is truly representative of the whole. As recommendations go, I’m at a loss. I like what Life At Zero are doing, and their devotion is unquestionable. Nonetheless, I fear that they might have difficulty finding a niche. I would be hesitant in recommending them to fans of classic grind, just for the fact that LAZ’s sound might be too clean for the average old-schooler. I initially thought they might appeal to followers of the early 90’s British scene (i.e. Bolt Thrower, Benediction, «Harmony Corruption»-era Napalm Death), but in hindsight, this might not be the best audience for them either. I would suggest visiting http://www.lifeatzero.com and downloading the two tracks from this demo. If you remain undecided, there are a few more to check out as well. Then order their full-length, as it promises to be a killer. Life At Zero may not be easy to put a finger on, but they provide liberal doses of sonic punishment that should please the majority of discriminating fans.

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