There’s much new on NASUM and this fact should be very surprising to all Die-Hard fans of the Swedish Gindcore heroes. This is not meant musically as NASUM keep clearly true to their music basement. Speed frenzy with the deadly impact of a tank (don’t know if this is a suitable description in these wartimes) rule supreme. New is the label of the Swedes, after three great records at the famous brutal label Relapse Records, they changed it over to Burning Heart Records.

New, or better, expanded is also the line-up of NASUM, their debut “Inhale/Exhale” (1998) was recorded only by the duo Mieszko A. Talarczyk (vocals and guitar) and Anders Jakobson (drums), with their next album “Human 2.0” (2000) and its follow-up “Helvete (2003), they developed into a trio with Jesper Liveröd on bass. With “Shift”, they have now another new member, Urban Syktt provides now further devastating music on the second guitar. Furthermore, the position of the bass player was new casted with Jon Lindqvist. They have also two guest appearances with Rogga Johansson (low vocals) and Petter Freed (lead guitar on “The Engine Of Death” and “Deleted Scenes”), which is also not common for NASUM (except from “Helvete” of course, with Shane Embury of NAPALM DEATH involved).

But all these changes haven’t changed the course of the Grindcore leaders and their mission to be the heaviest band of the world. In contrary, they have kept the aggressivity of their previous longplayers, the brutality of these 24 songs stands on highest level and the potential of the band is at full benefit. These short Grincore anthems are always straight forward and each song is like a shell, never missing its target. The razorsharp production, again provided by mastermind Talarczyk, could not be better nor more pressuring and it underlines the quality of every single song. It’s not exaggerated to claim, that NASUM have delivered another milestone with “Shift” and it is the rule for all discussions about the leadership in Grindcore genre.

There can’t be a clear answer, which record of them could be the best, there’s no better or weaker album of the Swedes. This is Grindcore at its best and with a breathtaking perfectness. It’s impossible to name any check out tip, better you buy this ultra brutal masterpiece and listen to your own on highest volume. Then you will realize what NASUM have reached with “Shift”. It’s unmistakable, straight and uncompromising. (Online November 21, 2004)