Cancer Christ - God Is Violence (2024)^{Release ID: 49353}

"Hi, kids! Do you like violence? Wanna see me stick nine-inch nails through each one of my eyelids?" Oh, sorry about that, I just got confused by some Eminem lyrics. I could have sworn they were the opening words of Cancer Christ's debut album God Is Violence.

Anyways, my initial thoughts on this debut record were certainly of lowered expectations. When I found it on another music reviewing website, its genres were listed as crossover thrash and grindcore. I was speculative that these two styles had no business being included simultaneously on the same album, since one implies accessibility, while the other does the exact opposite. Overall, the record feels a lot closer to your crossover thrash record from bands like Enforced or Power Trip, but the grindcore comes through in the songwriting being abortive at best, and care free at worst. 

Over time, I came to accept that this kind of album is not meant to be taken seriously. There is a lot of vulgarity here and plenty of gruesome violent imagery, and it does not feel like it contains any deeper socio-political messaging. And I think part of that comes from the frankly absurd rumours I've heard about this bands live shows and the wacky antics that are played on stage. If you compare this to bands such as Suicide Silence and their last album, SS are meant to be taken dead seriously and the humor found was unintentional. Whereas Cancer Christ are clearly laughing at themselves the whole time.

Although I've never accepted the argument of "it goes harder in a live setting" as a legitimate one. If the music of God Is Violence is so slapdash and unfinished, then why the hell would I ever want to see it performed in a live setting? Because I might get a rained on by a balloon full of piss, blood or other bodily fluids during the show? It is an interesting concept; one that I'm not fully opposed to, but the execution needs to be far more pronounced and cared for if it is to have any lasting effect.

Best Songs: God Hates Cops, Bring Back the Guillotine, Satan is a Bitch, Make Them All Dead