Shock Narcotic - I've Seen the Future and It Doesn't Work (2019)

Shock Narcotic is a new grindcore band based in Detroit with Jeff Tuttle (ex-Dillinger Escape Plan, Old Gods), Shawn Knight (Child Bite), Don Slater (Battlecross) et Zach Gibson (The Black Dahlia Murder), I've Seen the Future and It Doesn't Work is their first album (released by Housecore records). I don't know very well the other bands of the members but I assume they don't sound like Shock Narcotic a lot since Shock Narcotic sounds a lot like Napalm Death. But don't think it is just "traditional grind" because it also often reminds Napalm Death when they're in an experimenting mood (including what they did in the nineties, which is ok for me). The album is very well crafted, enjoyable and interesting grind. Napalm Death worshiping, OK, but done very well and in a smart way. They won't win any originality contest but it's still one of the best grindcore album of the year anyway.

The BC page.

Author & Punisher - Melk En Honing (2015)

What is always mentioned about Author & Punisher (or Tristan Shone) is the fact that the music is made largely with machines of its own creation, but that should not shadow that the music is really good. Of course it is literally industrial and noise music, but also we could say it's doom, because of the heaviness and slow pace (not because of sabbathian riffs, Author & Punisher is all about noise, not riffs). It could reminds NIN (when NIN was really good), especially for the ability to melt melodies into a brutal and bleak industrial metal music. Melk En Honing, released last year on Housecore Records, see the return to the use  of instruments, but the machines and the modified voice largely dominates. This is its sixth album, and as usual a bit different than the others while keeping the level of excellency high. On this one I'd say the focus shifted slightly from noise experimentation to songwriting which is more diverse and complex.

The Bandcamp page.