Written By Lindon Faynes
Apes Rotten World Review
The hybridization of black metal, grind, and hardcore has spawned some of the most misanthropic, nihilistic, and downright hateful music on Earth.
“In this Apes Rotten World Review, we look at how the band fuses blackened grindcore with hardcore intensity.”
Of course, trusting the world of metal, hardcore, and punk, you’ll see those “he got black metal in my hardcore” vs. “he got hardcore in my black metal” types — but just like peanut butter and chocolate, it’s quite the dive into decadent indulgence.
(Editor’s note: If you love deep-dive commentary on the wild west days of underground discovery, check out our feature: Before Algorithms: Hunting Metal Was Bloodsport — a look at how finding heavy music used to be a full-contact ritual.)
Québec’s own Apes willingly contribute to this summarization with a good chunk of their catalogue. A solid mix of blasting grindcore and hardcore layered with the stone-cold grit that you find in black metal, all presented in one audible package.
“With Rotten World / Apostle, Apes remind listeners how lethal a two-track release can be. It’s raw, ugly, and fully committed to sonic violence. Fans of Nails, early Wake, End, or Trap Them will find plenty to chew on. You can stream or purchase the EP on Bandcamp, and the band’s newest release Penitence is also available now. Support them and keep this level of extremity alive.”
If you love exploring underground heavy music from around the world, check out our latest installment of World Metal Weekly.
Apes is
Alexandre Goulet – vocals
Patrick Cloutier – guitars / back vocals
Simon Olivier – guitars
Louis Ladouceur – guitars / back vocals
Gabriel D’Amours – drums / noises
Philip Roy – bass / back vocals
Apes Apes Rotten World Review
Opener track “Rotten World” starts off with a sample taken from the infamous 911 phone call where the owner of a chimpanzee named Travis is reporting the rapid attack of a friend, while feedback rings in the distance. This is shortly followed by a slow hardcore-style buildup into a super-heavy chug riff with ultra-aggressive vocals on top.
The song progresses to a full-blown blast section only to then dive straight back into the chugging heaviness before a full stop for frontman Alexandre Goulet to unapologetically scream “KILL YOURSELF,” ending with chug — but slower.
Apes Apes Rotten World Review
“Apostle” follows immediately, paired with another reference to Travis’ rampage. The track opens with another sick grindcore riff. The song is fast and ferocious before going into a slow drum buildup with melancholic guitar melodies, which go back into the main riff before cutting off abruptly.
That’s it — just two short but sweet songs. As a standalone release, it does end a bit too quickly and could have used another song or three, but other than that, this EP is great.
Hardcore/grindviolence for those who’ll drag knuckles to Nails, early Wake, End, and Trap Them.
Artwork by @goulexdesign
Track Listing:
1.Rotten World
2.Apostle
Recorded/mixed and mastered by @max.lacrx at House of Gain studio
New Apes album Penitence out now at Secret Swarm Records
APES ONLINE