Extreme genres are no strangers to split releases. A few bands put a couple songs out together, sometimes they jell, and even if they don’t, it’s not the end of the world. But what about a split going beyond a few tracks, a full LP, that is actually about the end of the world? That is what two bands from Nashville, Tennessee set out to accomplish. Bleed the Pigs and Thetan use grindcore, metal and hardcore to express their devastating, often politically charged tones, and join them on two respective sides, turning into an experiment to be proud of.

Bleed the Pigs starts the LP piping like a kettle, ringing and whistling, blowing out static; “Bedlam” releases these noises for a full two minutes with feedback, burning off everything inside, then igniting “Annihilate You,” and distorting everything around it down to one gnarled, charred, metallic chunk. Powerviolence barges in on “Dehumanize,” trying to break up the ruined mass. To no avail, “Justified” grinds its way through sludge, as the drumming blasts moments of high speed locomoting, and guitars trail behind. Crawling from depths of disemboweled bass, “Born of Filth” screams and shouts, slogging over four and a half minutes. This allows for some deep breathing before Bleed the Pigs’ final two tracks heap more hardcore and metal upon everything previously fused together, resulting in “Soul Collector” consuming the entirety of the band’s split side.

Thetan takes the baton and sprints at an unceasing speed, running over the likes of police violence and government oppression, detesting the societal splitting in our culture. The issues at large remain broad and similar until “Long Kiss Goodnight,” focusing on singular death and crumbling of life before demise. There is a certain intimacy, brought on by both the lyrics and pacing, that make this song grieve.

“Pressure Cracks” is the concluding track, containing strong, crossover band vocals. Great in their own right, the bands performing together works out well and leaves you wanting more. However, everything comes to an end, “the revolution will be televised ...in false light.” After such a departure, you get excited to listen to Bleed the Pigs all over again on the other side, and in this way, the bands succeeded in creating an LP that may be split, but feels cyclical. An impressive offering any way you look at it.