Rating: 8.5

Country: Czech Republic

Release Date: 2006

Record Label: Obscene Productions

Track list:
Chapter 5.01 [Life Stealth]
Chapter 5.02 [Nanopunctures]
Chapter 5.03 [New Flesh to Cultivate]
Chapter 5.04 [Shapeshifting /Unidentification]
Chapter 5.05 [Ground Subzero] Chapter 5.06 [Kill the Original]
Chapter 5.07 [Tragic: the Gathering] [mp3]
Chapter 5.08 [Blind Lights]
Chapter 5.09 [Fight Might be Right] Chapter 5.10 [Revolting Waste - Fuck the Hoax]
Chapter 5.11 [CyClone]
Chapter 5.12 [Ionized Fluid Being] Chapter 5.13 [Mind Drillers]
Chapter 5.14 [Enforce the Clones (Kill the Copy)]
Chapter 5.15 [Deletion/A Cyclic End]

Band Website: Ingrowing

Ingrowing - Cloned & Enforced

Eddie - Guitar
Vlakin - Bass/Vox
Rob - Guitar Zbyna - Drums

Chapter 17.1

I love the Czech Republic. Aside from the quixotic atmosphere and ubiquitous architectural marvels of Prague, the nation currently possesses one of the finest Grindcore/Goregrind scenes in Europe. From the seminal works of Malignant Tumour to the vertiginous Swinegrind of Pigsty, the futuristic groovebelch concepts of Negligent Collateral Collapse to the charismatic daftness of Reek of Shits, not forgetting the inimitable Bizarre Leprous Productions label/distro monolith and the yearly Obscene Extreme carnage-carnival, the Czech scene is infallible. Ingrowing have long been a sturdy blast-beat buttress within said sector of the underground, furnishing it with a laudable assortment of splits 'n' full lengths during their ten-year existence. Before hearing 'Cloned & Enforced', I had acquired their 'Cyberspace' debut, and was also familiar with the follow-up, 'Suicide Binary Reflections'. I always enjoy listening to 'Cyberspace', what with its surrealistic spatial-anomalous concept, 'less gore is more' approach and remarkable catchiness, so of course I was keen to hear their latest opus. This time around, the theme follows the systematic research, methodical procedures, sudden complications and ultimate calamity of human cloning. The story was penned by Chymus from Isacaarum, who also carried out the art direction and layout of the packaging, as well as performing guest vokills on the opening and closing tracks. Like Negligent Collateral Collapse or Wormed, the theme is immaculately carved, taking its inspiration from works of Science Fiction instead of the usual Horror or Splatter-Gore movies. Eschewing murders, zombification, serial killers, paraphilias, snuff 'n' scat 'n' that etc in favour of such a comprehensive lyrical melodrama gives the release a clinical, white-tiled and corrugated steel-plated atmosphere. This becomes more convincing due to its forward-thinking nature and innovations, keeping any Gore references refreshingly infinitesimal rather than threshing 'n' intestinal. Although parts of 'Cloned.' can certainly be likened to Isacaarum, it displays quite a few other influences, as well as having plenty of unique characteristics of its own.

Chapter 17.2

The band are skilled in creating an effective contrast between highly contagious groove-viruses and volatile, headache-inducing blast substances, rapidly lunging from a persistence of malformed, semi-melodies to boisterous, grunty beatdowns, adding many a jarring, scream-laden outburst. Such factors are well interleaved within the structures, the distinct Grind-crux and relative corrosive counterpoint of each being executed to an excellent level of ear gratification/torment before the next expeditious transition. These progressions are threaded along marginally more unpredictable, discordant routes than familiar, time-honored paths, any Crustic catchiness often bludgeoned by deafening throat maltreatment and rapid kit-abuse. The drumming is near impeccable, with an abundance of delicious, staccato snare-thud and plenty of frenzied as well as considered fills, along with a nourishing double kick indulgence. The vokills follow the well-worn pattern of piercing/gruff, with the gutturals reaching sub-human tummy depths, while those wretched screams lend themselves well to the shattering of your shell-likes. Good enunciation is achieved with the growls, rendering the occasional phrase mostly comprehensible without lyric-sheet perusal!

Chapter 17.3

During the initial chapters of the 'soundtrack', I was instantly reminded of 'Diatribes' or 'Inside the Torn Apart' by Napalm Death, mostly due to the anthemic riff sinuosity and leisurely yet forceful narration, immortalising that salient yet sometimes undervalued aspect of the Brummiegrind back catalogue. Entertainingly, one of the pieces begins infused with such adrenal-anticipation that it resembles a track from 'Disembody: The New Flesh' by Skinlab. During the rest of the disc, the material comes across as a combination of succinct Swedish Grindcore serration and that charming Czech-Tech benevolence, managing to harness severe Nasum-type claustrophonics and an ever so slightly Sublime Cadaveric Decomposition styled instrumental cacophony, superimposed with the unbridled howling of later Regurgitate. A smattering of vocal experiments have been carried out, including a few bursts of spoken word, as well as a brief, wobbly Dead Kennedys parody. The mangled key-changes, rapid scales and melted-plectrum aroma during one or two of the riff helixes has a leaning towards the rifftangles of mid 90s NYDM, thus adorning the occasional song with intermittent, nostalgic decorations.

Chapter 17.4

The record has been produced in a clear and cohesive way, but with the addition of luxurious fuzz 'n' light oversaturation, which augments the thriving Grindnerve of the performance. The high vokills are perhaps a little too near the front of the mix, but I can only imagine they were purposefully represented this way to increase their ear-splitting capabilities. The dual guitars gel wonderfully, with subtle pan application to ensure they gnash your ears efficiently from either side, and along with the proficiently mic-ed up kit and searing hot signal of the shrieking vokills, provide a listenably dissonant overall sound.

Chapter 17.5

'Cloned & Enforced' is a compelling release that delivers lively contemporary Grindcore of dynamic catchiness, contaminated by a critical dose of malicious eardrum-sadism. Being a keen listener of Czech-core, I have a soggy valve for this release, but as it stands as an individual work, 'Cloned.' is a release sure to appease many Grindcore fans for more than just a few spins. An exceptional Grind interpretation, which sees an experienced band digest a captivating theme afore regorging it in a surge of semi-liquefied chrome harpoons, the torrent then funneled directly into the shuddering nerve-centre of your dome, the contents of which it shall thoroughly whisk.

June 14th, 2006