Review by ChadL on May 8, 2002.

From a country who's metal scene is known primarily for spandex wearing power metal wankers rehashing Iron Maiden riffs, Germany's Sanitys Dawn's second effort "Mangled In The Meatgrinder" is here to punch you right in the face with their take Carcass / Impetigo school of gore/grind.

Right from the opening track, you know you're in for one hell of aural assault, and believe it or not, it's a fun one. The style here is not one that is original, as they play old school gore/grind ala "Symphonies Of Sickness" era Carcass. This is not to say that they are a rip off of the former band, because they take what Carcass started and speed it up, not to mention add their own flavor to it. What is unique about Sanitys Dawn is that unlike many of their peer in the gore/grind scene, they actually posses a great amount of musical talent. While some bands simply turn up the bass drum and bottom end guitar and bass in the mix to suffocate and cover up the sub-par musician ship and top it off with gurglely vocals, Sanitys Dawn has a very clear sound that allows every instrument to be heard in all its blood drenched glory. Although the instruments are audible, the album still has that organic, old school sound which really helps the atmosphere of the music. Creative riffs and excellent song structures abound throughout the sixteen tracks on this 41-minute album. The rhythm section is extremely tight and devastating in its approach, keeping you headbanging throughout. The vocals are mostly gurgling (if you don't like those kind of vocals, don't dismiss this album yet, as they are done well, and fit the music perfectly without sounding too ridiculous), along with some really cool sounding burps! Many bands that play this style have a tendency to put the vocals much too loud in the mix, but the vocals on this album are the perfect volume.

This style might not appeal to every metalhead, but for what they do, along with Exhumed, Sanitys Dawn does it well. Despite the gross out lyrical content and brutal music, this album has a really upbeat vibe running through it, and it's just fun to listen to when your in the mood for something raw with an old school attitude to it. And as a great little break from the brutality, there is a 10 second or so polka breakdown, complete with accordions in the last song, before it pummels you once more. Don't be surprised if it makes its way into your CD player often.

Bottom Line: For fans of Carcass, Exhumed or similar bands, this will be a welcome addition to you collection. Defiantly at the top of the heap in the gore/grind scene.

Categorical Ratings Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 7
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.2 out of 10