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EP REVIEW: "Cycles of Grief Vol 1: Growth" by Cursed Earth

   Cursed Earth's UNFD debut release Cycles of Grief Vol 1: Growth is just under 10 minutes of unbridled fury, hate and ire, painted with Nails-esque sludgy guitars and an impressive performance from vocalist Jazmine Luders (it's also refreshing to see a female fronting a band in such an overwhelmingly male dominated genre). The riffs are hard, fast and face-melting. The drums are well balanced and provide the punch they should in this type of music. The bass almost never emerges from the wall of sludge (it does rear its head at the back end of "War March"), but that is to be expected and isn't so much a let-down as a missed opportunity. There's no breathing space here; they're in and out before you have a chance to compose yourself, and this is this EP's greatest strength. Were this a full-length there would need to be a lot more variety and dynamic contrast to remain interesting and heavy, but for a little 10 minute taster it is white hot and brutal as anything. A short, sharp and punishing EP, definitely give it a spin.

   Rating: B

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