Review by Rosh on October 29, 2021.

One thing that, to me anyway, is a good mark of an influential band to the underground scene, is when they have a lot of deep, non-album cuts. It makes sense, as the underground did, for a long time, thrive on demo tapes and 7" EPs. Moreover, prolific, hard-working bands will write killer songs but not all of them will make it to their full-lengths. On this point, although Autopsy is one of the most famous old school death metal bands today, they have been quite a studious force since their reunion, releasing not only new albums but also EPs, which means that their compilations like All Tomorrow's Funerals feel well deserved and not like a cash-in (especially given that they included some new material).

However, of their new material, 2015's Skull Grinder mini-album has stuck with me the most, since it features not only some of their strongest songs but also a spacious production job which suits Autopsy's filthy sound. Opener 'Strung Up And Gutted' is similar to 'Twisted Mass Of Burnt Decay' from Mental Funeral in the same way that 'Turn Up The Night' is similar to 'Neon Knights' - similar progression and riffing without being a rehash. On the topic of traditional heavy metal, Chris Reifert's vocals are soaked in a mic-reverb more reminiscent of bands like Judas Priest than the usual "cavernous" echoing of death metal. However, his vocals are, as always, well-balanced between hoarse barks and gurgling growls, which suit the freakish atmosphere. Not to mention, there's also his occasional signature high wails.

The title track of this EP is nothing short of essential and rivals everything Autopsy did early on, while also feeling relevant in tone to modern death metal entities such as Cerebral Rot. Mid-tempo madness accented by sickening guitar melodies that feel all the more effective due to natural production. The rhythm guitar here follows familiar riffing patterns but the momentum is undeniable, and the same could be said for fan-favorite 'Children Of The Filth', although the latter also features an outstanding dirge section in the middle, which just gives modern Autopsy so much character and sick charm, especially with Chris screaming his head off.

'The Withering Death' is a cross between a few songs on Mental Funeral, namely the slithering doominess of 'Slaughterday' and the snail-paced bite of the verses of 'Robbing The Grave'. An effective piece of proto-death/doom metal that few bands could replicate, but Autopsy just goes for the throat here as well as in the unnerving climax of 'Waiting For The Screams'. The latter track is actually the first post-reunion Autopsy song I ever heard, and from that I knew I had to hear all of their newer releases.

Don't tell me that Severed Survival and Mental Funeral are essential death metal but Skull Grinder isn't. This is music for ravenous freaks and it doesn't matter that much of it has been done before by these same dudes. It never borders on self-plagiarism at any rate, largely because the material here is still so lethal and rotten, and it shows the masters of gore still doing what they do best. Lastly, this is a classy slab of old school death metal and a sure highlight of all that the niche stands for due not only to the gnarly music, but also due to Wes Benscoter's instant classic cover art.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Brian on November 28, 2015.

Autopsy is one of the founding fathers of U.S. death metal. Their sophomore album Metal Funeral is the second best death metal album all time only behind Entombed's brilliant debut Left Hand Path. In 1995 after the sub par Shit Fun they split for 15 years, releasing an EP in 2010. After that they've released 3 very good full lengths taking their spot once again at the top of the death metal ladder. A vinyl only EP titled Skull Grinder is set to be released on Black Friday. I am assuming this is a record store day special.

Skull Grinder is Autopsy in all their death metal glory. 7 tracks of slow, fast and mid-paced debauchery only the way Autopsy can do it. Side A starts with "Strung Up and Gutted" a blazer of an opener with Reifert displaying his tremendous screams, growls and groans. Side A's 3 tracks are all amazing and will satisfy any Autopsy fan, with the title track being the stand out on that side, and probably the albums best track. When the turn is made to side B the album slows down the pace. In typical Autopsy fashion they bring out the heaviness with their doom laden brand of death metal. The second side opens with "Sanity Bleeds" which is this strange atmospheric almost intro type of piece. the 2 songs that follow "The Withering Death" and "Waiting for the Screams" are crushing slow tunes that are followed by an instrumental to end the journey.

Autopsy continues to be among the best death metal has to offer. They're one of the few founding fathers, if not the only one left that is still putting out high quality music. In fact with the string of mediocre albums and the last one that was down right bad, Morbid Angel has relinquished their spot at the top of the hill to Autopsy. If Skull Grinder was a full-length, it would most likely find its way into my year end list. I never put EP's in those lists, but I may have to make an exception this year. Regardless, this is a must buy for Autopsy fans and it being only available on vinyl means you get to enjoy it in the best format.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Death8699 on June 23, 2019.

If you wish to hear some annoying metal, Totentanz is for you. All of the effects I didn't dig whatsoever. If they kept it to just the guitars with all hoarse vocals, then it would've gotten a better rating from me. Industrial metal I'm just not into really. I don't like anything other than the guitar, intense vocals and solid production sound. This album does have a strong production, but the music or I should say the accompanying music to the guitars, should be erased.

I didn't quite like the multiple vocal outputs. Some were just irritating as hell. The guitar riffs feature palm muted frenzies along with chord progressions. The keyboards and flute really need to go though. They really ruined the guitars. A miserable release to listen to. The only thing that they have good to offer are the guitar riffs. The leads are insane too. Really technical and well played out. The vocals too need to feature just one album member, not multiple ones. The keyboards really got on my nerves and like I said ruined the release. The intro effects to some songs were distasteful and totally uncalled for. There are clean guitar bits here too that are played out well though and the guitar is solid. The only thing good about this release ARE the guitars. Total talent that deserves praise. The combination of hoarse throat alongside screaming didn't mesh well. If they kept it to deep throat, then it would've suited the music better. I'm not a big fan of industrial metal like I said so of course some bias does exist with me. But really, to talk about the guitar here is the best thing to discuss. The riffs are original sounding and the tempos aren't that fast, more groove laden. The leads are blistering and played with precision. The main guitars are strong and build this release up. Too bad that they included multiple vocalists. The guitar along with hoarse throat would've been the best for the band.

I guess that if you're a fan of industrial metal, then Totentanz hits home for you. Otherwise, I found this release to be putrid because of all of the effects and badly executed ideas that go alongside the guitars. The guitars were the highlight here, nothing else. I wouldn't say that this album is wholly original, just the guitar bits. The rest I couldn't really tolerate. I don't plan on getting future releases from this band. I'd like to bury this one in the mud!

Rating: 6 out of 10

Review by JD on November 12, 2012.

My Grandmother once told me that too many ingredients sometimes can ruin a good meal and I remembered that. It's sort of a good way to look at things not only in cooking, but in the music field as well. I have came across many acts both here in my country and everywhere that people send me music from... and that can sometime ruin things.

Ukraine based Thunderkraft seems to be one of those sort of bands, that uses so many elements of extreme metal into their own sonic assault. Parts of Groove Metal, Death Metal, Industrial Metal, Black Metal and even has some Pagan/Folk Metal outshoots even come into it. It seems like they have all of the cornerstones for a Extreme Metal outfit bulked up on steroids - but it is these multitudes of influences that stalls the band and confuses everyone. It feels like their music completely bogs down from all of these things fighting for supremacy, and the album never had the chance to flow because of all of these various parts.

The music seems so cut-and-paste through all, it seems the bad side of surreal at best. Strange song structures that goes no where with ill placed vocals that seem so shockingly out of place and guitars that sound like they are being played under water - it is hard to listen to. Thunderkraft have some heaviness to them, but the simple Industrial riffs get very boring fast, the lack of varying song structures leads nowhere even though there is a hint of something resembling talent in the music.

Settling on one basic style with small doses of others might be the way to go for a band that confuses more than entertains. If Thunderkraft takes that rout, while still being creative as hell - they will find many markets that will embrace them rather than laugh at their pitiful attempt they have here. Hope they take this to heart, because they do have a great amount of promise - but they cannot get to that place the way their music is now.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 3
Production: 5
Originality:4
Overall: 6

Rating: 4.8 out of 10