FUCK THE FACTS

Beginning as guitarist/founder Topon Das' one-man experimental grindcore project in the late 90s, Ottawa, Ontario's FUCK THE FACTS arrives with its Relapse debut, "Stigmata High-Five". After a slew of releases, including a handful of full-lengths (not the least of which is the grindcore-with-dance-beats "Discoing the Dead"),FUCK THE FACTS brings a strong collection of extreme metal tunes, often technical and scathing, sometimes grindy (but not grindcore),and with just enough melody to digest without heartburn.

Beginning with Das' mix of crackling riffs and rough-hewn harmonies, "Stigmata High-Five" works as a complete album because the band's attention to detail does not get in the way of solid songwriting. The opening and closing tracks, "La Derniere Image" and "Dead in the Ruins of Your Own City", are both lengthy and very well constructed. Many of the tracks combine squealing harmonic guitar parts, death metal punch CONVERGE dissonance, and a relatively calamitous (though never out of control) attack. You will also hear sections of near doom and subtle melancholia. The organic sound mix is a good combination of rawness and clarity. The electronic effects that appeared on previous albums are here as well, but more so for accent and atmosphere. Lead growler Melanie Mongeon is a force to be reckoned with, her abrasive style quite commanding, even in a crowded scene. "What's Left Behind" even includes a gang-shout chorus that fits surprisingly well. Along with Mathieu Vilandre's active and genuine sounding drumming, the group (now including second guitarist Jean-Louis Wittinger) clearly understands how to harness chaos and put together arrangements that are aurally satisfying and musically ambitious. It's about time the band got its just due by getting signed to a label that will spread the word far and wide.