Toothgrinder - Nocturnal Masquerade
Spinefarm Records
Progressive Metal/Post-Hardcore
12 songs (43'00'')
Release year: 2016
Spinefarm Records
Reviewed by Jared

The New Jersey band Toothgrinder has been making quite the buzz lately. Formed in 2010, the five piece band released three EPs up until this year in which they have a full-length record ready to deliver to the masses. Toothgrinder plays metal in a progressive style, but also a band that would fall under hardcore. Now many would expect me to become a completely reluctant to even give this band a shot since they do cater to a more hardcore sound, but surprisingly, Toothgrinder’s first full-length album isn’t a bad ride to take at all.

Nocturnal Masquerade begins with an eruption of energy with The House (That Fear Built). Vocals are quick and brutal, while the guitars help with the brash sound with their heavy chugging patterns. Overall the band has a very groovy style of riffing, getting down right dirty and can pound heavily on the ears like Lace Anchor does so well. But besides the rough vocals, the album will throw in clean vocals to create a catchier vibe. Coeur d’Alene is a solid hard-edged slap of metal, one that would surely rile up a mosh pit. Sometimes the band can get a little bit Slipknot-ish at times, but nothing that really ruins the experience.

Early on in the album the rough side of the band will hide with the track I Lie In Rain, which is a slower acoustic song overall. But following after with the track Blue, the band gets more aggressive once again, hitting with a solid mechanical Meshuggah feel from the riffs. Guitar riffs like in Diamonds for Gold later on in the album are head jarring as well as noting that the band likes to bring forth many catchy choruses to the table quite often with many of their songs.

Toothgrinder’s first full-length record is solid energetic ride with pulse pounding riffs to really get the blood boiling. I don’t see the band deviating away from the sound they have already established with Nocturnal Masquerade, but this young band may have a few surprises around the corner in the nearby future.

Killing Songs :
The House (That Fear Built), Coeur d’Alene, Blue, Diamonds for Gold
Jared quoted 70 / 100
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