Score: 3.25/5 - Napalm Ted
Score: 3.75/5 - Tongue Scum
Avg. Score: 3.5/5 - Hey, This Kinda Slaps
Grindcore · Released October 1st, 2026 · Self released
Here’s a rare review - a split album! I feel like these are rarer than they used to be, so when this hit my inbox, I knew I needed to give it a spin (I guess nowadays it’s “give it a click”, but I digress).
I was very impressed with Tongue Scum, especially since their contribution to the split record is all live and sounds pretty damn good despite that! I’m not the biggest fan of live albums, as they lack the energy you get when you're actually at a show, as well as the production quality of a studio-recorded album, making it just a perfect storm of a bad mixture, but Tongue Scum’s 9 tracks are fast, frenetic, and filled to the brim with energy that makes me want to jump out of my seat and mosh.
Napalm Ted’s contribution moves at a blistering pace as well. Just when you think you have a song figured out, BAM! It’s over. The instrumentation is the standout, with nice crunchy guitars, fuzzy bass, and raw/uncompressed drums. My biggest gripe is the vocal style, which doesn’t work for me more often than it does. I appreciate the “fuck it, send it” mentality of the vocal style, but where it lands just isn’t my preferred style. There are moments, though, that I jive with (like some of the low screams), but the mids/highs are abrasive to a point that isn’t the most enjoyable for me (a good example is “The Stand”. I’m 50/50 on the screams with that track). Also, I’m not sure if my definition of Grindcore is out of date (it very well could be), and not that it overly matters in the grand scheme of things since genres are so arbitrary anymore, but I’m not sure I’d classify Napalm Ted as Grindcore. To be fair, I’m drawing a blank on what sub-genre of Metal I would categorize them as, but like I said, it’s not that important.
As a full package, this album moves FAST. You’re getting 18 tracks from 2 bands, in less than 27 minutes. Considering the time to commit, the breakneck speed of the tracks, and a solid average score from me, I’d suggest checking it out! It’s high energy that never sags or slows down, giving you little time to come up for air.
Avg. Score: 3.5/5 (See Top Of Page For Individual Band Scores)
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Kenny’s been obsessed with heavy music since age 10. IT pro by day, reviewer by night. More about me and the scoring scale