Bathtub Shitter: Lifetime Shitlist

I remember buying a bulk lot of CDs from a gentleman who was closing his shop and selling everything. I didn't know what exactly I was getting, other than it was everything left he had from his heavy metal section of the store. Even though I was in the dark on exactly what I was getting, I couldn't beat the price (about a buck a CD) so I accepted. I was so excited when the box came. It was like Christmas morning and I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. The first CD I pulled from the box was a promotion release of various bands, which had me worried, but those worries would be put to rest upon the second CD pulled; Bathtub Shitter. Now, as a 19 year old kid who was, at the time, immersed in death metal and metalcore, this was an intriguing discovery. I figured it had to be some kind of death metal or grindcore, but what the hell was I going to hear when I pressed play. There was only one way to find out.

Bathtub Shitter plays a brutal blend of deathgrind that instantly had me banging my head and laughing my ass off. First, the music is fantastic. Heavy, down-tuned guitars create an atmosphere of discord, but these guys don't guys play a one note sound through the album. The riffs are very memorable on this album as, since you'll never be able to understand the singers, it is the sound that hooks the listener. The opening riff in "Fuck Hip Raper" is a perfect example. Chugging along right up to the moment that the guttural vocals kick in a leave you stunned. Of course that's only the beginning, because shortly after the second style of vocals enter the fray; high pitch, girly sound screams. Now, I'll be honest, upon first listen, I didn't know what to hell to think. The super brutal sound of the guitar riffs, hammering drums and guttural vocals had me grinning like a super villain, but the suddenly inclusion of the shrieking screams caught me off guard. After another listen and being ready for the shrieks, I quickly found myself appreciating their bizarre inclusion, not just for the shock value, but they serve as unique way to bridge the gap between one brutally heavy section to another.

The album continues on this path; heavy guitars showing both technical elements, but also the ability to create a good rhythm throughout most songs. The vocals pound your skull straight through the entire album with a little help with the shrieking screams that occur sporadically, seemingly catching you off guard like a cheap slasher film.  That being said, this is not a perfect album. There are a few songs that would be considered filler here and a few that just miss the mark, but all in all not a deal breaker. It's surprising that this album hasn't gotten more attention in death and grind circles, but I would definitely point those seeking both a solid slab of brutality and a fresh sound Bathtub Shitter's way.

Highlights: "Fuck Hip Raper" "Fireworks" "Control of One Hole"

Rating: 4