Review
Mammoth Grinder
Underworlds

20 Buck Spin (2013) — Jon E.

Mammoth Grinder – Underworlds cover artwork
Mammoth Grinder – Underworlds — 20 Buck Spin, 2013

Mammoth Grinder have made a name for themselves by playing a mix of old school death metal , d-beat and hardcore. While that combination of influences isn't singular to them they have played it with a considerable amount of consistency and rage. This got the attention of more than a few people including 20 Buck Spin.

While not their first time around the block the band manages to play with the exuberance of a group of 15 year olds discovering South Of Heaven for the first time. Meanwhile, their musicianship comes of sounding like if Morbid angel play Domination front to back at top speed.

The riffs are all there, and the drums pound like a beast coming up from hell. The production helps to magnify these aspects as the band favors a more dirty old school sounding approach giving the drums a fair amount of cavernous feeling to them as the guitars buzz and the bass is turned up just enough to bully the listener.

All these thing would make a great bit of worship if Mammoth Grinder wasn't so adept at taking these traits and using them how they see fit. The band does a great job of doing things their way while saluting back to the past this makes for a great listen overall.

7.9 / 10 — Jon E. • October 27, 2014

Mammoth Grinder – Underworlds cover artwork
Mammoth Grinder – Underworlds — 20 Buck Spin, 2013

Related features

Mammoth Grinder

One Question Interviews • December 3, 2013

Related news

Mammoth Grinder updates

Posted in Tours on December 1, 2014

Power Trip summer dates

Posted in Tours on May 27, 2014

Recently-posted album reviews

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

EP HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan” If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more