Agathocles Cliché? Live in Buggenhout

Agathocles 'Cliché? (Live in Buggenhout 01/05/99)(Grinding Madness 1999)

Grinding madness indeed! Agathocles were/are known as 'mincecore' rather than the more common grindcore. I have read that they decided to pigeonhole themselves as 'mincecore' because they wanted to make sure that they were still recognised as a political band rather than a band that was part of the myriad sub genres of grindcore that were beginning to become popular such as gore grind.

'Mincecore' had some slightly humorous connotations to us Scots, but obviously the idea of Julian Clary doing a grindcore band didn't cross these Belgians' minds.

This is an excellent album which is all the better for being a live recording. It's a real warts and all document of a grind band doing what they do best - grinding! This has it all; great political lyrics, which of course are totally unintelligible, an arresting cover image and total DIY attitude.

The three page stapled lyric/information sheet starts with a diatribe raging against the state of grindcore in 1999, where all the original bands have 'sold out' and the majority of punks have abandoned the scene in favour of whatever the latest trend is. There's a dig at Napalm Death, questioning their status as genre fathers, 'Don't make us laugh!', and criticism of record collectors mindlessly buying records without understanding the message behind the recordings.

The cover is then explained - while the horrors of the Biafran war and resulting famine and atrocities may be in the past, we should never forget that millions are starving every day and that war is an ongoing tragedy for many throughout the world. As true then, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Sudan as it is now, often in the same countries.

Grindcore is one the greatest forms of music which, when done well, incorporates raging Discharge punk, crunching Celtic Frost riffing, brutal, guttural vocals and whirlwind destruction drumming. This record ticks all those boxes and is a hugely enjoyable listen. It's primal, moving stuff with a real message which is brilliant.

Agathocles are still going strong and release a split 7" almost every week. Mince on - total punk rock!

Peace