This little 'ol band out of Norway (where else?) is not to be taken lightly...nor heavily. More like brutally. Their debut album 'Ghouls Of Grandeur' was touted a as a "death metal bitch slap". Well if that is the case, then their sophomore effort '10 Steps To Hell' is the hay maker of all that is punishing and heavy in this world. It is ten tracks of blunt force trauma with the sole purpose of slaying the listener.

The album opener, "The Power" wastes no time in going straight for the throat. It is a ferocious attack of guitars, drums, and rip-your-face-off vocals all at once. It is as extreme as you could ask for. Then a little over the two-minute mark, it slows down into some nice melodic vocal brooding from singer Frediablo and some downtuned sludgy power riffing from guitarist Ole Walaunet. This band not only draws the obvious comparisons from bands like MORBID ANGEL, SLAYER, and CANNIBAL CORPSE, but also pays their respects to the likes of SABBATH and MAIDEN. The song "Unborn" is a perfect marriage of all these influences: extreme growling harmonized with melodic vocal wailing, twin harmony leads and cannon fire drumming by newcomer Christian Svendsen (appropriately described in the band's bio as a "human machine"). "Separation Of My Soul" and "Touched By a Shadow of Evil" are perfect examples of a roller coaster ride that is pure speed, aggression, and slow dark intensity.

Simply put '10 Steps To Hell' is not only one of the most extreme and melodic death metal records I have ever heard, but is also one of the best. With releases like this, GRIMFIST will surely leave the death metal community bloody, bruised and beaten. These guys would be a welcome addition to this years Ozzfest and I think we will be hearing a lot more from them in 2006.

- Peters

OFFICIAL SITE: www.grimfist.com

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