Genre: Deathgrind
Origin: Finland
Released: 2009
Website: Blastanus
Label: -
Uploaded: 13.04.10

I was a little amused, but also a little confused, when I read the accompanying bio, which explained the band name as a compound of two of their favourite things in the world; blastbeats and assholes. I thought it was funny, but not clear as to whether or not the 'asshole' part of it was to be read as male or female ones. I guess it doesn't really matter, it just got me thinking. I'd never heard of Blastanus before (no surprise really since this is their debut) and was a little hesitant to press play since I didn't get good vibes form the cover art. But as the saying goes, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover...
My initial reaction to what I heard was that it was pretty straight forward deathgrind, but after only a couple of songs I had to revise my all too hasty conclusion. Odd is definitely odd, but not in the ways of genre reinvention, but rather a mishmash of styles comprised into their sound. Blastanus' recipe can be comprised into something like one cup of technical death metal á la Origin, one tablespoon of deathgrind from the earlier days of their fellow countrymen Sotajumala, a hint of basic grindcore of the early Napalm Death days, and just a dash of jazzy mathcore. It's difficult to complain about any of the musical aspects, 'cause they certainly handle their instruments very well and the songs are densely composed in a manner that sets them apart from the bulk of the death metal and grindcore scenes.
But unfortunately they still have something in common with loads of other bands; the fact that despite great material they somehow lack the ability to really draw the listener in. I'm having a hard time feeling the full aspect of the atmosphere, if any atmosphere at all. It's brutal, diverse, sometimes catchy, sometimes experimental, but yet not very compelling. I can't really explain why, it just doesn't grab me by the throat, slams me to the ground and stomps me in the crotch (metaphorically, of course), like some other acts do. It's good, at times even ripping, but still doesn't go all the way and it lacks just that little extra to really kill. But I'd still recommend giving the lads a go, seeing as how it's still one mean-as-hell debut album, self-released and everything. Just give Incarnation and Rat hunting a listen and you'll certainly hear their potential.

Tracklist:
01. Greed
02. Lies that bind
03. Nihility neighbourhood
04. Rat hunting
05. Scam
06. Drumstick made eyehole
07. In distress
08. Burn, bitch
09. Odd times
10. Hese
11. Punk bitch, part 1
12. Punk bitch, part 2
13. Overgrow the government
14. Calyptron
15. Incarnation
16. King of encrustations