Drugs of Faith’s ‘Asymmetrical’: A Noisy Grindcore Experience

Virginia’s Drugs of Faith have been a quiet force in the grindcore scene, with a prolific output of demos, EPs, splits, and singles. Their latest release, Asymmetrical, brings a blend of punky, noisy grindcore, promising an uneven spread of musical directions and lyrical themes. Does this album live up to the band’s reputation?

Noise and Intensity

Asymmetrical delivers on its promise of noise. The album is a chaotic journey, with the word “chaos” appearing seven times in my notes. The intensity and off-kilter energy are evident throughout the ten tracks. The lead over the first half of “Drones” stands out, blending chromatic melody with trilling flourishes, expressed through tumultuous, tremolo-picked guitars. Similarly, the discordance over the first half of “Divestment” builds an unsettling wall of noise. The vocals, a mix of punk’s sneering edge and hardcore’s super-charged energy, coalesce into a 21-minute grindcore experience designed to spark listeners out of their everyday tedium.

Production and Mix

The album’s production is a standout feature. The drums and bass sit further forward in the mix than the guitars, which are relatively far back. The purring bass is a standout, commanding the songs’ progression with a pleasingly-grounded rumble. However, this mix choice means the riffs, which typically switch between stomping grooves and sawing swings, don’t have as much clout as they should. This dilutes the album’s memorability. The grinding guitars in the middle of the mix contribute to the general cacophony but ultimately make the music more forgettable.

The opening lead on “Gas Mask” is surprisingly crunchy and differentiates itself because the bass guitar isn’t there to cover everything in its distortion. This allows the guitars to have more impact. The album’s overall aesthetic is enjoyable, but moments where the guitars are exposed allow them to stand out more.

Album Structure and Variety

Due to the mix that blunts its songs’ riffs, Asymmetrical begins to blur across its side A. Side B attempts to refresh the album’s sound but isn’t entirely successful. The crunchy opening on “Gas Mask” and the frenzied guitar solo on “The Void” offer new textures. “The Next 100 Years” uses a cleaner guitar transition between passages, and “Essential” features call-and-response shouts. These elements add variety, but the album as a whole is more homogenous than most, diluting its impact through brevity.

Conclusion

Drugs of Faith‘s Asymmetrical won’t revolutionize the grindcore genre with musical innovation or mind-blowing melodies. However, it is entertaining enough for existing grind aficionados seeking 20 minutes of catharsis. The interesting production and weaponized chaos give the album a sharp edge. Yet, it may not be entertaining enough for newcomers to the grind bandwagon due to the lack of powerful riffs.

Rating and Details

Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Selfmadegod Records
Websites: facebook.com/drugsoffaith | drugsoffaith.bandcamp.com
Releases worldwide: February 21st, 2025

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