Is it possible for brutal grindcore to have groove and melody? Well, take a listen to Better to Die on Your Feet Than Live on Your Knees, the Relapse Records debut from Liberteer, the 'one man band' masterminded by Matthew Widener (Cretin/Citizen). This is 17 tracks of politically charged, rapid fire, manic, and brutal grindcore, with Widener playing all the instrumentals and spewing all the vile vocalizations. But wait, amidst all the pummeling there are actually some moments of tasty guitar work and the occasional catchy melody, which allow for a brief respite during most of the non-stop brutality. The majority of the tracks are quite short and to the point, even monotonous at times, but damn if Widener hasn't crafted some crushing guitar & bass riffs on "That Which Is Not Given But Taken", "Build No System", "99 to 1", and the surging title track, so much so that you'll want to bang your head and get your groove on.
Better To Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees is not going to have much appeal outside the grind, punk, and hardcore scene, but there are some fun moments here (the industrial & symphonic "Sweat for Blood" is a hoot) that warrant at least a few listens to the casual extreme metal fan.
Track Listing
1. The Falcon Cannot Hear the Falconer
2. Build No System
3. Without Blazon (Is the Flag I Hold Up and Do Not Wag)
4. We Are Not Afraid of Ruins
5. Class War Never Meant More Than It Does Now
6. Rise Like Lions After Slumber
7. That Which Is Not Given But Taken
8. Better to Die on Your Feet Than Live on Your Knees
9. Usurious Epitaph
10. Revolution's Wick Burning Quick
11. 99 To 1
12. Sweat for Blood
13. Barbarians at the Gate
14. When We Can't Dream Any Longer
15. It Is the Secret Curse of Power That It Becomes Fatal
16. I Am Spartacus
17. Feast of Industry
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