Review / 200 Words Or Less
Black Market Fetus / In Defence
Split

Give Praise (2009) Mirza

Black Market Fetus / In Defence – Split cover artwork
Black Market Fetus / In Defence – Split — Give Praise, 2009

Split 7" releases are great when both bands are good. And luckily this time both Black Market Fetus and In Defence are good underground groups and this nasty little piece is as sweet as it is short- seven songs pass by hastily but it's certainly good enough to warrant repeated listens. Another positive is that both bands differ slightly in sound providing a little bit of variety between their respective onslaughts.

Black Market Fetus play fast-paced grind/hardcore that is heavily thrash influenced which is showcased in their use of harmonious riffing that's embedded in their usual speedy bursts of aggression. Vocalist Nate "Nightjack" Fetus alternates his vocal delivery between raspy screams and a death metal growl and if you're partial to that sort of thing then you are advised to seek out some of their other releases. There are plenty of split 7" albums to choose from.

In Defence's brand of crossover thrash/hardcore gets the winning vote on this particular release due to some good moshing breakdowns and top notch shredding along with their resemblance to The Crumbsuckers and Suicidal Tendencies.

7.0 / 10Mirza • September 16, 2009

Black Market Fetus / In Defence – Split cover artwork
Black Market Fetus / In Defence – Split — Give Praise, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

Circuit des Yeux

Halo On The Inside
Matador (2025)

Haley Fohr's artistic vehicle, Circuit des Yeux, defies categorisation. Stamping the indie folk label on her was superficial, something dispelled easily once you have experienced the lo-fi distortion of "The Girl With No Name." It might be that under the layers of sonic disfigurement, a folk ethos is present in Fohr's narrative sensibility, but it is no longer the same. … Read more

ZEPHR

Past Lives
Dumb Ghost, Snappy Little Numbers (2025)

Sometimes you can just hear the passion in a voice. ZEPHR is one of those bands. They defy convention a little bit, in that I associate gravelly voices with harsher, heavier sounds, but ZEPHR use sore-throat vocals to great effect with midtempo, emotional and melodic 3-chord chugging punk rock and some DC sound. In few words, it's raw, both musically … Read more

Kreiviskai

Motinai
Infinite Fog Productions (2025)

Kreiviskai's origins are deeply rooted in the neofolk sound and ethos. Their debut record, Zemmis : supnãi, focuses on the musical lineage of Tver, embracing the traditional instrumentation to produce a somber and moving piece. Their follow-up record, Nonregnum expands outward, focusing on various historical events and introducing further influences. The pull of neo-classical is palpable, while the abrasive industrial … Read more