SIBERIAN MEAT GRINDER from Moscow have released their third album.
For real!
It's only their third album, yet the band has been around for eleven years, and considering how they performed and made their presence known in the years before the Corona era, it's almost unbelievable that this is only their third album.
“Join the Bear Cult“ was originally supposed to be released in 2020, but then everything changed. We all know why, and the Moscow band was not like other bands that simply released their albums anyway, hoping that everyone at home would buy it. The guys set to work reworking the album. What else can you do when you're stuck at home?
No one could have guessed that it would take two years before the album could be released again on the Kreuzberg label Destiny Records (including Acht Eimer Hühnerherzen, Terrorgruppe, The Botrrops, The Offenders, Talco).
As soon as Corona was somewhat under control, a man from Moscow ordered the invasion of another country. The man who likes to be photographed shirtless on a horse, although he would prefer to swap the horse for a bear. But the bear wouldn't go along with that; bears don't like evil people, and the bear from SIBERIAN MEAT GRINDER certainly wouldn't. He would tear him apart, just like the music that comes out of the speakers.
The last two albums from the Moscow band were a wild mix of thrash metal, punk rock, and hardcore. A mix that comes across even more intense, faster, and rougher live. To all those who remember the explosive gigs and to all who bore a bruise or something worse from them. Before someone raises a finger, this has nothing to do with violence and fighting, but with unrestrained excitement and having fun.
This album picks up where the last two albums left off. Even the first song of the album goes full throttle and takes no prisoners. The band has no intention of slowing down after the first song; instead, they push the gas pedal even harder. The drums blast out of the speakers, making you dizzy. The bass thunders wickedly and gives the drums even more depth and hardness. On top of that, the vocals couldn't be better. Perfectly balanced between hardness, brutality, and melody. Did I forget something? Oh yes, the guitar. What a powerhouse! When the guitarist launches into short, twisted solos, you can feel the full class of his playing.
Lyrically, much revolves around the bear cult that the band itself practices and which is open to new disciples. “Join the Bear Cult“ is more than just a nice marketing idea. The bear plays a significant role in Russian, especially Siberian mythology, symbolizing strength, something unattainable, but also something mysterious and a being that knows a lot and, of course, is untamed. So it’s only logical that the band and the bear have come together.
Of course, it’s also about solidarity, as in “One United Family“. More important now than ever. Solidarity, mutual support, and help.
The album features eleven songs that are played electronically amplified and one song that is acoustic. Something completely new! It’s the song “Flame in the heart“. The Moscow band can also do acoustic. Powerful, clear vocals and guitar playing that almost resembles traditional music. The singing might be a bit frantic, almost as if it were an encore at a live concert. You calm down a bit, but still have a resting pulse of 100.
SIBERIAN MEAT GRINDER grabbed me many years ago when I first heard them. What intense, awesome music I thought. I still think that. They haven’t tired over the years, and their style of music still kicks hard.
Let’s hope that the band, which had many plans to present the album live, will soon, very soon, have the opportunity to do so. It will be difficult, at least as long as this horrible war continues. I wish the band much strength for the time ahead. In the hope that the band can soon come back to Europe. There will definitely be a tribute to the bear, and who knows what else.
