Liberteer – Better To Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees

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Grindcore is not the most progressive of genres, nor does anyone expect it to be. The formula has been left relatively unchanged for the 20 or so years its been around. However, Matthew Widener (Cretin, Vitizen) is looking to change that with his solo project Liberteer’s debut album, Better To Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees. Get ready for a shocker: this is basically symphonic grindcore. By definition, epic, flowing symphonic music should not mix well with brutal and abrasive grindcore. But Liberteer’s ancient war themes work extremely well with the grind aspect to make for a truly memorable album and one of the most diverse grindcore albums ever. In the first song, Build No System, it kicks off as a straight-forward grind song, but is interrupted by… flutes. The pace slows and adopts a celtic-esque tune not too far removed from any number of folk metal bands. It then seemlessly transitions between the two music styles throughout the whole album. It really must be heard to be believed. As for the grindcore part of the music, it’s very catchy. Focused much more on groove than some of the more popular contemporary grind bands. It definitely combines the best of Magrudergrind and Phobia without ever being stale. The symphonic elements range from soaring horns (from a keyboard, of course) to orchestral strings that would sound at home in a Children of Bodom song. It definitely sounds weird, but it really works. Liberteer mixes their sound with ancient Roman-imagery and soundscapes like Ex Deo only wishes they could. This might be a huge, genre-changing force in the world of grindcore, but Liberteer has made an album for the ages.

Written by Jackson May
More: 2012, Albums, Grind, Quick.Play Reviews, Liberteer