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JÄRNBÖRD “Filmer för Blinda”
JÄRNBÖRD “Filmer för Blinda”
By Dr. Abner Mality
“Filmer för Blinda” is Swedish for “Movies for the Blind”. The cover of the album features some poor slob in one of those virtual reality helmets sitting at a desk. This striking image, along with the title, grabbed my interest right away and promised that JÄRNBÖRD might be doing something just a little bit different than the norm.
That instinct was right. The band can technically be labeled as grindcore, but this is not the typical NAPALM DEATH/INSECT WARFARE type of onslaught. JÄRNBÖRD takes that formula and experiments with it, using electronics, noise rock and even straight up rock n roll to shake things up. The result is an intriguing album that keeps you on your toes while still delivering a high velocity beatdown.
First track “Garning Och Lidande” makes you think you’ve found the second coming of NASUM or maybe ROTTEN SOUND, as this is a pulverizing straightforward grind blast with yelling Swedish vocals. “Ormens Vag Pa Kvarnberget” has more of a groovy stomp before turning the tempo to overdrive, but the track also features some synth and the vocals are just a pure punk shout. There are no guttural death growls from these guys, who seem more rooted in hardcore punk.
The title track is an awesome brutal gallop that just wrecks your neck...super catchy! “Rockens Heraldik” throws a real wrench into things, as this is pure early 90’s noise rock full of squeal and skronk, like CHERUBS or DINOSAUR JR. By now, you’ve gotten the message that JÄRNBÖRD are not a cookie cutter band by any stretch. They remind me of more experimental grind like ANTIGAMA or the sadly missed JAPANISCHE KAMPFHORSPIELE.
Watch out for the female New Wave vocals and piano on “Flickan I snon” and the raging grind holocaust of “Nu kor Vi” which boasts power electronics! And somehow throughout the whole album, there’s a strong core of just straight up rock n roll that you can find if you listen closely enough. The Swedish lingo might be an impediment for some, but JÄRNBÖRD to me are a name to watch...they could easily be on Relapse.
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