#21 - Crisis

Grindcore is definitely not one of my favorite metal genres.  The shorter, less complex compositions, the screamed vocals, the loose ensemble playing and the lack of showoff-y instrumental work and solos are all characteristics diametrically opposed to some of the qualities I generally value most in metal.  That said, New York's Crisis is such a fantastic specimen that they're not only the lone example of the genre in my top 100 bands - they're near the top at number 21.

There's no denying a distinct hardcore punk influence, nor the Anthrax-ian thrash that belies their geographic origins.  But Crisis weaves in abrupt tempo changes, from syncopated, hard-charging thrash to bone-crushing doom and back again, as well as an arty experimental approach akin to Mr. Bungle.  There are also occasional progressive hints, with some longer than typical songs and odd meters cropping up from time to time.  The musicianship in general is pretty strong, and the energy is breathtaking.  But what really pushes this band into the conversation as a topnotch metal act are the astonishing capabilities and expressiveness of vocalist Karyn Crisis.

I first came across Karyn and the band during a phase when I was looking for bands with female vocalists, trying to disprove the inclination I had at the time that metal could only be convincingly performed by men.  What can I say?  I was young.  And female-fronted metal wasn't easy to come by.  You've already heard a few of my discoveries from that time, but Karyn (along with Anneke van Giersbergen and somebody else you'll be hearing from later) remains one of my absolute favorites.  Her vocal approach attacks gender stereotypes viciously, slipping between an almost childlike-sounding clean tone, hardcore screams (sometimes pitched and sometimes completely chaotic), death growls and grunts and ear-piercing shrieks with jaw-dropping effortlessness and frightening earnestness.

Here's a favorite of mine, "Prisoner Scavenger", from their breakthrough sophomore release, Deathshead Extermination, the whole of which is as consistently enjoyable as it is astounding.  Make sure you listen to the fast middle section starting at 1:30 to witness some mindblowing vocal schizophrenia.  Following is a early live performance from just before that album's release which, while not of pristine A/V quality, demonstrates that Crisis wasn't just studio magic which is pretty hard to believe when you hear them.