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Recorded by Subject to Change for live broadcast on KXLU 88.9 FM. October 25, 2019.
Our take: Grimly Forming has been kicking around the Los Angeles area for at least six years now, releasing a string of cassettes and one 7” we enjoyed when it came out a few years ago. Now they’re back with this 11-song live on the radio set. If the tape wasn’t titled Live on KXLU 88.9FM, you’d have no idea this was a live recording, because the fidelity is as strong as a studio release and the songs are edited together tightly like on a studio recording. Grimly Forming’s sound reminds me of the heavier and creepier end of the 80s Japanese hardcore scene. While I’m sure they’ve heard G.I.S.M., I hear more Kuro, the Clay, and Sodom (as well as stuff like United Mutation that isn’t from Japan but has a similar tone). It doesn’t sound like Grimly Forming is trying to be fucked up or weird, but plenty of fucked up weirdness finds its way in without any special effort. Fans of more contemporary bands like Blazing Eye and S.H.I.T. who are heavy and energetic yet steeped in atmosphere will also love this.
Our take: Grimly Forming has been kicking around the Los Angeles area for at least six years now, releasing a string of cassettes and one 7” we enjoyed when it came out a few years ago. Now they’re back with this 11-song live on the radio set. If the tape wasn’t titled Live on KXLU 88.9FM, you’d have no idea this was a live recording, because the fidelity is as strong as a studio release and the songs are edited together tightly like on a studio recording. Grimly Forming’s sound reminds me of the heavier and creepier end of the 80s Japanese hardcore scene. While I’m sure they’ve heard G.I.S.M., I hear more Kuro, the Clay, and Sodom (as well as stuff like United Mutation that isn’t from Japan but has a similar tone). It doesn’t sound like Grimly Forming is trying to be fucked up or weird, but plenty of fucked up weirdness finds its way in without any special effort. Fans of more contemporary bands like Blazing Eye and S.H.I.T. who are heavy and energetic yet steeped in atmosphere will also love this.