

Their new release A Cult That Worships A God Of Death is a testament to this very success. The Grasshopper Lies Heavy’s (TGLH) journey from one-man instrumental post-hardcore outfit to a buzzing trio that have shaken ceilings in oversees Japan is a warming one. (Brendan Crabb) Learning Curve Records The Grasshopper Lies Heavy – A Cult That Worships A God Of Death (Learning Curve) Other standouts are “To Feed the Worms,” which echoes Despised Icon’s unhinged fury in spots sickening shrieks of “Malevolent Thoughts” and downright crushing, yet dynamic “Arterial Red.” Already adept at infusing dissonant melodies and abstract time signatures, this tech-friendly crew have honed a few other songwriting tricks to complement their heavier than a bag of spanners on Jupiter approach. Case in point is opener “Eniac,” which proves furious and riff-laden, but also infuses beefy grooves, a quality guitar solo and versatile vocal performance. Ingredients besides concussion-inducing heaviness are required to maintain interest though, and these folks acknowledge this, meshing groove, speed and most notably, technical prowess with class. Taking sonic cues from the likes of Dying Fetus and Origin, New Jersey death metallers Cognitive‘s fourth album Malevolent Thoughts Of A Hastened Extinction certainly delivers on that front. If that cover art didn’t give it away, prepare yourself for one of 2021’s most brutal albums.


Unique Leader Records Cognitive – Malevolent Thoughts Of A Hastened Extinction (Unique Leader) This week’s Heavy Music HQ reviews include releases from Cognitive, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Inhuman Architects, Mortyfear, Nothing Sacred, Ophidian I, Paradise Lost, Resurrection Kings, Severed Boy, Space Chaser, Times Of Gracee, Vouna, Weston Super Maim and Wizardthrone.
