Phobia - Serenity Through Pain - LP

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Label: Rodel Records

Price: 9.90 Euro

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.



About Phobia;

Formed in Orange County California in 1990, Phobia has been punishing ears with their murderous sociopolitical grinding noise assault for a full decade.
Dealing out their savage combination of the energy and ideals of hardcore punk mixing it with the power and brutality of early grind, Phobia has shared the stage with a diverse mix of bands over the years such as Chaos U.K, Grave, Napalm Death, Detestation, Neurosis, Deicide, Final Conflict, Corrupted, Assuck, Spazz, Exhumed, Immolation, Disassociate, Darkest Hour, and Mayhem to name a few.
Soon after forming, their demo 'What Went Wrong' was recorded, followed by the 'All That Remains' 7 inch on Relapse Records, during which time Phobia tore up the O.C. / L.A. scene with the likes of local bands such as Mindrot, Morgion, Dystopia, Confrontation, A//Solution, Glycine Max, Carcinogen, Fear Factory, and Excruciating Terror.

1994 brought the release of the 'Return To Desolation' cd/ep and a small west coast tour sharing insanity with Capitalist Casualties, Lack Of Interest, and Christdriver. 1997 brought the union of Slap-A-Ham records and the release of their 'Enslaved' 7 inch. Another west coast tour followed, reaching as far as Victoria Canada. Phobia's first full length release 'Means Of Existence' on Slap-A-Ham was pressed in 1998, as they embarked on a full U.S. tour.

Througout 1999 a split 7' with Japan's Corrupted on Rhetoric records, as well as a cd/ep entitled 'Destroying The Masses' has been released on Pessimiser/Theologian records. 1999 also saw Phobia's long over due first European tour. Embarking for a madning 2 months and almost 50 shows througout the countries of GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SLOVANIA, BELGIUM, HOLLAND, CZECH REPUBLIC, ENGLAND, and SCOTTLAND they tore it up with the likes of Hard To Swallow, John Holmes, State Of Filth, Immolation, Trip Scope, as well as numerous other local grinders.
July 2000 brought a 12 date tour of Japan with local heroes of the underground CORRUPTED. July 2001 the touring continued. This time joining forces with long time friends ANARCHUS and embarking on the 'GRINDING OVER AZATLAN' Mexico tour. Shortly after returning from Mexico and with the release of their new album SERENITY THROUGH PAIN (Deathvomit Records) Phobia tore up the US soil once again on the GRIND YOUR FUCKING HEAD IN tour with support from label mates CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN as well as tons of other insane local bands and friends. September 2001, West Coast madness ensued with a two week jaunt up the 5 fwy with metalers and fellow three wheelin fanatics DARKEST HOUR.

2002 Brought yet another US tour in Support of Serenity Through Pain, and the re issue of RETURN TO DESOLATION. Future plans includean upcoming west coast tour with PUNGENT STENCH, a return to Europe in May 2003, and some new releases including a new CD/EP GRIND YOUR FUCKING HEAD IN sure to make even the strongest of ears bleed!

Tracklist:
1. Death Threat
2. God Is Grace
3. Mercy Killing
4. Mental Incarceration
5. Hooray For Jesus
6. Closure
7. White Devil
8. D.F.F.D.
9. Fueled by Pride
10. Poison My Mind
11. Pathetic Minds
12. Sieg Help
13. Wounds Through Punishment
14. Slave to Religion
15. Bush
16. Ways of Destruction
17. Sovereign
18. You
19. You Suffer
20. Social Sheep
21. Red Self Condemnation
22. Private War