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 / 10Jon 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

Tired Radio

Hope In The Haze
Red Scare Industries (2025)

I knew of Tired Radio, but I didn't really know the band's work. When Red Scare announced they'd signed the band, I figured it was a good excuse to dive in -- and I'm glad I did. Hope in the Haze is the title of their Red Scare debut and that title kind of sums up their general vibe too. … Read more

The Resinators

Recorded In 2005 By Jay Reatard
Independent (2024)

Interesting little slab we got sent to SPB by a Mr. Ed Young. Two originals and a cover, recorded in Jay Reatard’s living room back in 2005 as the title suggests. So that would be around the time of The Reatards’ Not Fucked Enough for anyone keeping track. Jay had apparently just switched from analog to digital recording but it … Read more

Various Artists

Bombs Away!
Rad Girlfriend Records (2025)

Split records have always worked best when they feel intentional rather than convenient, and Bombs Away! lands firmly in the former category. Bringing together East Bay veterans Tsunami Bomb and Oakland’s The Hammerbombs, this six-track split (three songs per band) doesn’t just unite two names but captures two complementary approaches to Bay Area punk that still feel vital decades into … Read more