Inspired by bands like Phobia, Napalm Death and Siege Australian crust/grindcore outfit Sordid play some fast and brutal music. They recently released their debut effort Sordid Remains via Grindhead Records. Musically the references to the aforementioned aren't that apparent, but similarities do show now and then. The music is mostly very fast and brutal, but it's nice to hear that the quartet also know how to lower the pace a little at times. The vocals vary from being growls to hysteric screams. This adds some expression to the songs, but overall the music is kind of one-tracked.

As with any other grindcore album there's loads of samples. Most of these don't really do anything other than irritate. Musically Sordid doesn't differ from so much else. There's hardly anything on Sordid Remains that hasn't already been done by many others. Not that there's anything wrong in this, but it gets a bit boring after a while. It doesn't make it a whole lot better that it all sounds rather thin and hollow. Sordid Remains is a mediocre release that has its ups and downs on good and bad. The all consuming grindcore fan will most likely love this CD, but I'm afraid I don't.