Just when the number of cybergore bands started to reach level stupid, this long awaited release came to remind people who did it best. For those that got left behind at soccer practice: C.U.M. is a drum machine based duo from Japan that writes catchy, dark and hateful grind with the standard female-in-torture samples and a dual high / low vocal attack. Razorback has released a slew of worthwhile stuff recently but C.U.M. is the nastiest and possibly most memorable act on the roster. C.U.M. sets the standard for great drum machine programming in gore. They use the mechanical to their advantage creating a sinister and feral experience that is both alien and engaging. Just a touch of reverb gives the production a surreal and haunting quality. They disturb and excite with balanced skill. While many of the newer bands somehow already sound jaded, C.U.M. never bores. Most tracks feature a variety of tempos from oppressive dirge to inhuman machine hyper blasts. The arrangements are executed with remorseless efficiency. Hook after infected rusty hook assaults the listener with the bloodthirsty ferocity they promote in their lengthy song titles. C.U.M. listened to great bands and you can hear it in their style. A glance at their split discography and choice of cover songs should function as a shopping list for the uninitiated: bands like Slough, Impetigo and Squash Bowels are all mandatory for grind and gore fans. Those that have the compiled the highly sought after 7"s and demo tapes still need the current release for the 2 previously unreleased tracks. The detailed liner notes are also a nice addition. The packaging differs from the seriously disturbing gore photos on the original releases due to the more cartoonish style design that Razorback is known for. Some consider that a negative but Razorback could wrap this in dried flowers and patchouli for all I care because the music fucking rules and that’s what matters most. Razorback has stepped up again and delivered some classic shit for grind and gore freaks. The only bad thing I can say is - C.U.M. seems to have been left behind by it’s creators. R.I.P. Catasexual Urge Motivation.

Written By: Mr. Budd