4

5.0 (3 votes)

Artist: Implore
Title: Phos Zoe EP
Label: Veritas Vinyl
Release Date: 07/07/2012
Reviewer: Steven A. Cosand

Tracklisting:

1. Skeptical Masses
2. Misery & Desolation
3. Threshold of Eternity
4. Conquer
5. Blackened Eternity

Implore is a Christian rendition of the old grindcore era when bands like Extreme Noise Terror and Napalm Death were king. There isn’t a whole lot of info out about Implore, but the Facebook page reads the following:

“Hailing from the streets of Los Angeles, IMPLORE brings faith filled grindcore to the yearning masses. A production financed by trading the furniture of the band’s leader apartment.”

I don’t know if the masses are truly yearning for “faith filled grindcore” or spicy chicken sandwiches or what, but I became a fan of this band from the first listen. The intro to the beginning track entitled “Skeptical Masses” is choppy and heavy. It quickly hits into a very fast paced d beat. “Skeptical Masses” is kept short and sweet.

This EP is very melodic and guitar driven. The Phos Zoe EP is actually quite unique in comparison to other bands writing similar music. It’s so filthy and gross (a good gross) sounding, but it’s still very musical. These songs are extremely well written. I love that you can even hear the little inhale during the beginning of the 2^nd track. The fast guitar harmonies and blast beats of “Misery and Desolation” are soon followed by sludgy riffs which add some character.

The beginning strums of “Threshold of Eternity” with those tormented sounding screams. Ouch. When the full band comes booming in I get goose bumps. It’s simple, but hits so hard and heavy. For a song clocking in only a little longer than 2 minutes it is quite epic. “Conquer” starts off with clean guitar leads, but quickly moves in fast paced tremolo picking with blast beats. Maybe even a little bit black metal? The Phos Zoe EP ends with “Blackened Eternity” which is probably the thrashiest track. It grooves a little bit slower with double bass and eventually fades out like every good punk record does.

Overall: I wish I could find the lyrics! This record is practically perfect! The Phos Zoe EP is nothing short of melodic, emotional, and straight up heavy. If you are a fan of grindcore or old school crust then this is definitely something to get your hands on. Stream it below and buy it below.

RIYL: Vomitorial Corpulence, Rehumanize, Napalm Death

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