Intense! A roundup of classic grindcore tracks from Western music
Grindcore is an extreme music genre that pushes speed and aggression to their absolute limits.
Established in the late 1980s, it fuses elements of hardcore punk and death metal, delivering overwhelming sonic density and destructive force—often in tracks that last only a few seconds—that continues to captivate many listeners today.
Here, we’ll introduce a selection of tracks that get to the heart of the genre, from indispensable classics in grindcore’s history to recent songs drawing attention in the scene.
While it’s certainly a sound that isn’t for everyone, grindcore is surprisingly deep, laced with dark humor and social messages—so why not take on the challenge of exploring this world?
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Intense! A Collection of Classic Western Grindcore Tracks (11–20)
Castration RiteDiscordance Axis
This is a song by the American technical grindcore band Discordance Axis that centers on a scathing ritual of self-destruction.
The lyric that screams “Cut open your chest and rip out your lungs” delivers a visceral shock to the listener.
It may be a harrowing declaration of resolve to sever ties with one’s past self and weaknesses.
Many people have surely experienced that crushing sense of powerlessness and the desire to smash everything to pieces.
The song’s stormlike wall of sound seems to voice that inner scream and violently shake the soul.
At the same time, its incorporation of quotations from the Old Testament hints at an intelligence that’s more than purely destructive.
Endless Cycle of ViolenceCEPHALIC CARNAGE
Cephalic Carnage is a grindcore band formed in Colorado, USA.
Their musical style incorporates elements of black metal, doom metal, sludgecore, and even jazz.
Lyrically, they explore themes such as aliens, sociopolitical issues, and a love of cannabis and other drugs.
ConformSiege
Siege are considered one of the origins of grindcore and fastcore, formed in Massachusetts, USA.
The band itself is also cited as a pioneer of the blast beat, and they were a punk/hardcore punk act that unleashed high-speed rhythms.
In 2011, their vocalist died from complications of diabetes.
It Was Just An AccidentSoilent Green
A representative track by the American band Soilent Green.
The ironically titled “It Was Just an Accident” channels a helpless rage against senseless tragedy and violence.
Its sound—where dragging, heavy sludge collides with storm-like grindcore—is a pure eruption of uncontrollable emotion.
Sometimes the crushing weight of a hopeless reality can leave you on the verge of breaking.
But when you listen to this song, it affirms the anger and despair you carry inside and hurls the chaos right back.
Rather than overcoming sorrow, it urges you to transform that energy into strength and keep moving forward.
The CallingMisery Index
They are a deathgrind core band from the US, formed in 2001.
They debuted on a New York–based American label, but in 2014 they moved to the French label Season of Mist.
They have charted on Heatseekers.
Regret & The GraveCattle Decapitation
Cattle Decapitation started out as goregrind and now play deathgrindcore.
Their songs focus on themes opposing animal abuse and environmental destruction.
They’re also known for all members being vegetarians, and even former members of the band were vegetarians as well.
Intense! A Compilation of Classic Western Grindcore Songs (21–30)
Stayin’ Alive (Oi! Version)Anal Cunt
First, this band disbanded after the vocalist, Seth Buttnow, died of a heart attack in June 2011.
Musically, in the early days they featured noisy guitars, blast beat drumming, and vocals that were nothing but screaming, with songs ranging from 5 seconds to 1 minute.
They didn’t have song titles, labeling them as Number 1, 2, and so on.
In their later period, their sound became grindcore with added noise.