Norway was once known as the land of black metal; almost a decade later, it has become a melting pot of musical styles-black, death, Viking & avant-garde metal. It seems everyday a new band is getting a record deal just because it is described as "Norwegian style"-half the time, the band isn't very good anyway. But, the point of the matter is the fact that good music is just hard to come by these days and even harder to find any of their albums. What a shame. But luckily in 1996, a musical phenomenon was brewing in the Heart of Notodden, Norway MINDGRINDER. Founded by current, former, and session musicians from Scum, Zyklon, Disciplin, and Source Of Tide. In 2001, the band released their first demo Demolition 2001; the release "demolished" any standing theories about Norwegian metal. Later on the same year they release the 3 song demo Bless The Imbecile; the startling release caught the ears of maniacal fans and Portuguese record label Sound Riot. The band only stayed with the label for a short time with no works released. Later on in 2003, they singed to legendary Norwegian label Nocturnal Art Productions. Now teamed with NAP the band released their first full-length album MindTech in Spring 2004. Quickly after the release, the bands status went from local band that kicks ass to international bad-ass fucking band! 10 tracks of brutal, original, awe-inspiring Norwegian metal! Later on that same year, the band went back to Akkerhaugen Lydstudio for the 2nd time to record Riot Detonator; featuring 9 tracks of even more brutally unique odes to all things heavy. Having both amazing albums released, they are ready to blast live audiences all over. Until I get to see them live, I'm just gonna jave to made do with the records. But, how exactly do the records hold up against each other? Upon requests from the MINDGRINDER’s themselves I’ve been asked to do "twin-review thing", so that’s exactly with I’m doing. MindTech vs. Riot Detonator.

MindTech
Brutal, unrelenting, amazingly original. Taking simple thrashy riffs and paring them with superfast drumming and spicing it up with electronic sound effects and harmonized solos. Track 1 Repulsive Evolution, a headbang worthy, grooving death metal anthem and an amazing way to start off an album. I hear two words for this album: Fucking Amazing! Track 2 Regeneration building on the previous track, they put their black metal backgrounds to very good use and create a shout along fuckin' great piece of work! Again sometimes simple is better and then again so is MINDGRINDER better than anything you heard before! Track 3 War Solution easily one of the best songs off the album-thrash attacks! An old school feel with a hint of new school vibe mixed with amazing musicians and freakin' amazing solos. I could sit here all day and talk about how great this album is; but guess what? They got another one! Fuck yea!

Riot Detonator
Taking off from where their first masterpiece left off- they slay all expectations within the first 5 seconds of playing this record. Even thrashier than before and I do believe the solos have gotten about 5 times better than the first time 'round. Like the previous album most of the songs start with a slower riff only to build an build into a truly amazing song and then to climax with a solo worthy of groveling and ending with a freakin' bang! I really love this band. And if the music isn't enough; the disc contains 2 video tracks - the music video for Pathetic Submission and a live video of War Solution filmed at the Windir Farewell gig at the Rockefeller in Oslo, No 20-04-04. How freakin’ awesome. But for those of you who enjoy a truly amazing musical adventure I highly suggest track 3 The Rebellion slower but definitely now mellow; accented by a folkish acoustic interlude flowing into a harmonized solo worthy of the metal gods. Truly a masterpiece!

MindTech vs. Riot Detonator
Well, what can I say-they are both freakin’ awesome. You know that whole thing that sequels aren't usually as god as the first; well MINDGRINDER are an exception – I actually can't decide which one is better! If you are planning on expanding your music anytime soon, make sure to pick up both of these albums – you can thank me later.