MASTIC SCUM is a name that I admit to being unfamiliar with despite this being their fourth full-length release. A well packaged, well produced slab of crossover Grind and Hardcore with strong Death Metal overtones and strong grooving inclinations is what is on offer with “Mind.”

To be honest there isn’t an awful lot one can say about an album like this as the above description applies indiscriminately, in an above average fashion, to all the tracks on this album bar one (the dirty, sludge ridden "Control"). Variation is certainly not the key to this release, for the interchange between pummel, groove and plod is all you’re going to find to the extent that even the short “Violated With Flowers” filler follow this pattern. A definite plus is that the samples used are tasteful, rather than dominant and add, rather than detract, from the general atmosphere of the compositions.

For those who still listen to NAPALM DEATH’s current material, in other words those who aren’t like me, this album could prove to be very worthwhile because even the vocals tend to conjure up images of one Barney Greenway. Indeed, the same focus and shifts in direction are wholly apparent. (Online February 8, 2006)