Goregrind is a fusion genre of grindcore and death metal.[2] British band Carcass are commonly credited for the emergence of the genre. Goregrind is recognized for its heavily edited, pitch shifted vocals and abrasive musicianship rooted in grindcore.

History

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Despite the early impact of albums such as Repulsion's Horrified and Impetigo's Ultimo Mondo Cannibale,[3] the origins of the genre really lie with the British band Carcass,[4] who began their career in the late 1980s. In their Reek of Putrefaction era, Carcass used pitch shifters, medical imagery and several visceral associations—all of which are tropes that would become synonymous with goregrind.

Characteristics

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According to Matthew Harvey,

Gore-Grind (sic) music is characterized by its preoccupation with pitch-shifted or extremely low vocals, use of gore and forensic pathology as its exclusive subject matter, and often very fast tempos. Gore-Grind bands also have the refreshing tendency not to take themselves or their lyrics too seriously. This is evidenced by ... the often intricate and disgusting yet undeniably cartoonish splatter drawings that adorn many Gore-Grind album sleeves.[2]

Zero Tolerance described goregrind as being defined by "detuned guitars, blasting drums (sometimes with a high-tuned, clanging 'biscuit tin' snare drum sound), sickening lyrics and often heavily processed/distorted vocals."[5] Goregrind bands commonly use extremely low or pitch-shifted vocals.[6] The lyrics' subject matter often features violent themes including gore, forensic pathology, death, and rape. Lyrics sometimes have a clear tongue-in-cheek Z-grade horror-movie feel and are not expected to be taken seriously.[2] Cyjan, former drummer for Polish goregrind band Dead Infection, commented, "Musically, there's no real difference between grindcore and goregrind, but lyrically, whereas the first is socially and politically concerned, goregrind, as the name implies, deals with everything related to blood, pathological aspects or accidents with fatal results."[3]

Offshoot genres

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Pornogrind

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Pornogrind (also known as porngrind or pornogore) is a microgenre, which is similar and related to goregrind, that deals with sexual and pornographic themes, hence the name.[7][8] Notable bands include Gut and Cock and Ball Torture.[2][5][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sfetcu, Nicolae (7 May 2014). The Music Sound. Brutal death metal, developed by combining certain aspects of the song structures of goregrind with death metal.
  2. ^ a b c d Purcell, Natalie J. (2003). Death Metal Music: The Passion and Politics of a Subculture. McFarland. pp. 23–24. ISBN 0-7864-1585-1. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  3. ^ a b Badin, Olivier (2009). "Goregrind". Terrorizer, 181, p.41.
  4. ^ Widener, Matthew. Carcass Clones. Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b "Grind Prix" (2005). Zero Tolerance #004, p. 46.
  6. ^ Stosuy, Brandon (6 August 2008). "Show No Mercy". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  7. ^ Anderson, Vicki. "Running the musical gauntlet". The Press. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  8. ^ Hess, Amanda. "Brick and Mordor: A record store heavy on the metal spins its last gloom and doom". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  9. ^ Mincemoyer, John. "Gore International" (2002). Terrorizer #98, pp. 19-20.