Landmine Marathon

Rusted Eyes Awake (2008)

Jesse Raub

When listening to a brutal death/thrash band with songs titles like "Bile Towers" and "Heroin Swine," most people don't expect a female vocalist. Especially after listening to Landmine Marathon. Singer Grace Perry's voice is like shrapnel for your ears. But, you know, in a good way.

The group has been building a reputation over the past couple years as a force to be reckoned with. And it's easy to see why. The band fully embraces their death metal sound, appealing to the most brutal metalheads, but at the same time the rhythms rely on hardcore and thrash music that in turn draw a lot of praise from the punk community.

Rusted Eyes Awake is the group's second full-length album, but the band plays like they've been recording for years. The songs are well-structured with blast beats, heavy riffs, furious speeds and Perry's signature vocals.

The real question for this album is how much can you take. Non-metalheads might not be able to take the incessant barrage, but if you're ready for a punishment, Landmine Marathon is ready to deliver.