When dealing with the unexpected, a writer usually feels delight, because sometimes it’s hard to deal with such thing, especially when a Metal genre is old and eroded by time. But as long as those without fear are living on the world, the unexpected can be found in some occasions, as when dealing with “Sphere Of Atrocities” of the Portuguese quartet GROG. Recorded, produced and mastered by Rolando Barros (the band’s drummer and the older member of the quartet) at Undergrind Studios during on many different occasions between 2023 and 2024, the sonority heard is a fine blend between Death Metal/Grindcore sonorities usual for the late years, or in other words, the album sounds defined and understandable, but heavy and abrasive as hell.

The sick - yet great - artwork is done by Pedro Pedra (concept) and Victor Costa (illustration and final art). Well, these veterans (who are on the road since 1991) are still as ‘grindcoring’ and ‘deathmetalizing’ in a sick way as they were for the past 30 years, but with the addiction of younger influences (due the technical appeal of modern Grindcore acts, and some Brutal Death Metal and Technical Death Metal traits can be heard as well). It’s insane, sick, brutal and aggressive, but always unleashing a violent and tasteful form of music.

“E.xit G.lobal O.bliteration”, “Vegetative Techuman”, “Inborn Sickness”, “Heart of Darkness”, “Cosmic Placenta”, “Pineal Turmoil”, “Reproductive Extinction”, “Phantom Anihilation”, “NecroEarth”, “Lucidity” and “Terrorithm” are mixing extreme death growls (that contrasting with agonizing screams), insane guitar riffs and arrangements, and technical - yet heavy and thunderous - rhythmic work from bass guitar and drums. But remember one thing: the quartet sounds coherent and solid, using the unexpected as a core element to their music.

Even after all these years, GROG still can deliver such a level of musical quality, then listen to “Sphere Of Atrocities” and enjoy as your hears melt!