Search - Phobia :: Serenity Through Pain

Better Than Ever, And Out For Blood...

Ken | Youngsville, LA USA | 02/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phobia - a word that means fear. A suitably stark name for such a politically motivated band, yet paradoxically the name of a band that obviously knows no fear. Perhaps it represents a fear of the stifling, bloodthirsty global society that we inadvertently perpetuate ? the same one that will ultimately cause our destruction and demise. Whatever the case, Phobia is a band that has always put politics before performance, since that very issue permeates every lyrical stance they?ve ever put forth. As a result, they?ve often been lumped with more punk-oriented scenes and genres as opposed to the world of metal. But let it be known that Phobia was probably the most intelligent and outspoken grindcore band to lash out at the world with blast-beats aplenty throughout the 90?s, and with ?Serenity Through Pain? they?ve returned to continue their assault into the new millennium.
With a release on Relapse Records in the early 90?s, Phobia was introduced to the then-fledging world of grindcore. For most, it probably seemed like they disappeared from existence soon afterwards, although that was far from the truth. They in fact continued for years within the ultra-underground anarcho-punk D.I.Y. scene, putting out numerous releases on smaller labels and touring small venues. And while musically they were sometimes very different from other acts within that scene, they were wholeheartedly embraced for their extremely intelligent messages, which ultimately matter more than anything else to anarcho-punks. For years, they forged a loyal following and maintained an integrity harder than steel, garnering respect with every step of the way. Finally, the folks at Necropolis/Deathvomit Records rediscovered the band, recognized their overwhelming determination, and decided to let the world of Metal in on the fact that Phobia has been here this whole time, perfecting their crushingly heavy anarcho-grindcore.
Thus, as it seems, ?Serenity Through Pain? is Phobia?s return to the much larger Metal universe. Yet, this band has definitely created a sonic monster that compromises absolutely nothing in the process. Still present are the obvious blurring and blazing grind attacks, but to keep things fresh and challenging, there are obvious ties to the anarcho-crust world from which they festered and arose during the 90?s. Brilliantly, and often within a single track, these amazing aural assassins tackle heavy-as-hell crust-punk, genuine-issue hardcore, schizophrenic powerviolence, and double-bass thrash attacks? while still leaving a predestined point (within the chorus, typically) to let hell break loose with their patented blastbeat grindcore fury.
?God Is Grace?, the first track that appropriately symbolizes the calm before the storm with its wind and acoustic guitar, gently and ominously begins to bring forth Shane McLachlan?s venomous lyrical anguish. It?s a sure sign of the brutality about to unfold, which definitely hits you like a brick wall soon enough. As you experience the violent surges of ?Death Threat?, ?Hurray For Jesus?, ?Poison My Mind?, ?Pathetic Minds?, and so many other amazingly ferocious tracks, you begin to feel the boundaries and walls between anarcho-crust, hardcore, thrash, and grind just being blown to bits without any concern for life, limb, or loss. Between them, you?re spinning in reckless abandon as traditionally short-but-sweet grind blasts like ?You Suffer? and ?You? pound your brain into submission. Even further, the alternately grind and crust triumphs of ?Wounds Through Punishment? and especially ?Ways Of Destruction? serve as continued testaments of their brilliance and talent. And as if that wasn?t enough to make a totally classic album, tracks like ?Closure? and ?Welcome To Violence? force you to wrap your brain cells around the totally impressive epic and complex riffs, structures, and head-spinning dynamics that you wouldn?t expect from what most essentially consider a grindcore band. A total departure from the rest of the album, these two longer tracks effortlessly put a ton of modern hardcore bands to shame, and I?m not saying that lightly or irresponsibly, because I?m a huge fan of hardcore. Their Final Conflict cover (?Private War?) gives us a background check and offers a glimpse into their inspirations. Additionally, I?m sure these guys were thrilled to have Final Conflict?s guitarist play lead solos on a couple of tracks. Finally, the aptly titled ?Sovereign? ? considering Phobia?s anarchist principles ? draws this disk to a tense, brooding, and dark dirge-like close, and as such, a brooding mission statement brings ?Strength Through Pain? to a thought-provoking halt.
But as much as this is a totally amazing album musically, it?s the lyrics that fuel the fury ? which has always been Phobia?s staple. A quick glance through the booklet shows that the music MUST be this angry in order to sonically match McLachlan?s ideological, sociological, and political wrath. The lines ?1/3 (of the) population remains blind / You?re the whore within the system / That bleeds you dry? (from ?Mercy Killing?) and ?We?re all minorities? governed by hate / We?re all minorities? within a social plague? (from ?White Devil?) put their intelligent sensibilities on the table. But it doesn?t end there? as any well spoken anarcho-punk band, every questionable element of a corrupt society is tied down for a vicious beating.
Blurring the boundaries and distinctions between the worlds of metal, grind, hardcore, powerviolence, crust-punk, and beyond ? at the same time, mind you ? Phobia has triumphantly delivered a classic album of extreme music that demands to be heard. A few songs were previously mentioned to describe the album's direction, but keep in mind that every single track is a gem that lovers of the extreme will enthusiastically drool over. ?Serenity Through Pain? throws down the gauntlet as a symbol of Phobia?s unrelenting and unremorseful intensity as well as a sign that they?re back to slay all that stand in their way ? metaphorically AND physically. Utterly brilliant; utterly essential."