UMUR "Cretanic Grind Ambush" is an EP release by US, California based grindcore act Cretin. The EP was released through Relapse Records in August 2004. Cretin was formed as far back as 1992 but disbanded again in 1996 without releasing anything, as a consequence of bassist Matt Widener joining the marines and lead vocalist/guitarist Dan Martinez working in the video game industry. They reunited in 2001 though and "Cretanic Grind Ambush" is their first official label release (they released the "Extreme Cretanic Grindcore" demo in 2003). "Cretanic Grind Ambush" is actually a re-release of the "Extreme Cretanic Grindcore (2003)" demo with an extra track ("Pee Spree"). So if you already have the 3 track demo, "Pee Spree" is the only new track you get on "Cretanic Grind Ambush".

Stylistically the material on the album is raw, distorted, fast-paced and loud as hell grindcore, delivered with fierce aggression. Repulsion is obviously the main influence here, but it´s not something the band are trying to hide or are ashamed of, and they shouldn´t be, because they deliver their music with great conviction and passion, which is usually of much greater importance in grindcore than originality. When that is said Cretin still manage to put their own spin on their Repulsion influenced grindcore style, so they are not a clone band.

In true grindcore style neither of the four tracks exceed the 2 minutes mark and the EP is almost over before it began (total time 6:24 minutes). Thankfully you´re left with the feeling that you want more, which is almost always a sure sign of quality. Cretin are a well playing bunch, and no matter how fast or how filthy and raw the music is, they perform their parts with precision but also with the right organic touch. Martinez has a raw and aggressive vocal style, which puts the icing on the cake in regards to creating the most vile and filthy atmosphere as possible. The sound production is very raw and noisy, but not in a messy lo-fi way. On the contrary you´re fully able to hear details in the mix, and the production suits the music perfectly.

So upon conclusion "Cretanic Grind Ambush" is a short but sweet first label release by Cretin and a promising start to their career. They may not get that many points for originality but fully make up for it in caustic aggression and hellish intensity. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Freakery" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based grindcore act Cretin. The album was released through Relapse Records in April 2006. Cretin was formed as far back as 1992 but disbanded again in 1996 without releasing anything, as a consequence of bassist Matt Widener joining the marines and lead vocalist/guitarist Dan Martinez pursuing a career in the video game industry. They reunited in 2001 though and the "Cretanic Grind Ambush (2004)" EP was their first official label release (they released the "Extreme Cretanic Grindcore" demo in 2003). The three-piece lineup of Dan Martinez (vocals, guitars), Matt Widener (bass), and Col Jones (drums), who recorded the "Cretanic Grind Ambush (2004)" EP, is intact on "Freakery".

Stylistically the material on "Freakery" also more or less continues the sick and depraved grindcore assault of "Cretanic Grind Ambush (2004)". It´s distorted, noisy, blasting, and aggressive, but still with enough memorable hooks (give it a couple of spins and they begin to appear) and brutal mid-paced grooves to be entertaining throughout the 16 tracks and 29:56 minutes long playing time. It´s not the most varied release and the very strong Repulsion influence, which the album reeks of, could be an issue for some too, but to my ears "Freakery" wins because of the execution of the material. Make no mistake...these guys can play and they deliver their music with great conviction and passion. And that is true for both the instrumental part of the music but certainly also for the vocal part of the material. Martinez has a raw distorted voice and a convincing caustic delivery, which suits the music perfectly.

The filthy, depraved, and bizarre lyrical universe is another asset and provides the album with the right dark and unpleasant atmosphere. Song titles like "Daddy's Little Girl", "Cockfight", and "A Fowl Fetish" may give a few hints to where we are lyrically, but the lyrics have to be read to be enjoyed in all their foul glory. The sound production is harsh, and unrelentingly raw and brutal, but still detailed enough, that the listener is able to hear what is going on. So upon conclusion "Freakery" is a high quality grindcore release. It is a bit one-dimensional and the tracks take some spins to tell apart, but aside from that (which isn´t unusual on a grindcore release anyway), it´s a highly recommendable and quite promising debut album by Cretin. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Stranger" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US grindcore/death metal act Cretin. The album was released through Relapse Records in December 2014. Cretin was formed as far back as 1992, but disbanded between 1996 and 2001 as a result of bassist Matt Widener joining the Marines. After reuniting in 2001, they released a few minor releases before putting out their debut full-length studio album "Freakery" in 2006. Then came another longer break because of lead vocalist/guitarist Dan Martinez transition/sex change from male to female, and the ensuing self awareness process, that such a radical life changing experience is bound to generate. He is now a woman named Marissa Martinez. Since the recording of "Freakery (2006)", Elizabeth Schall has been added to the lineup as the band´s second guitarist, making Cretin a four-piece on "Stranger".

But don´t fear that a lineup consiting of 50% women can´t play badass grindcore/death metal of the old school filthy varity in the most convincing and authentic fashion you can imagine, because that´s exactly what you´re gonna get when listening to "Stranger". Compared to "Freakery (2006)", which is a very raw grindcore album with a filthy organic sound production (heavily influenced by Repulsion), "Stranger" is a more diverse album, bringing quite a few old school death metal elements to the table. A label like deathgrind is probably more correct than grindcore when trying to catagorize "Stranger". Cretin haven´t lost any of their morbid and vile humour though, which song titles like "Sandwich for the Attic Angel", "Mister Frye, the Janitor Guy", and "How to Wreck Your Life in Three Days", are a testament too. This is still pretty sick and bizarre.

The band is well playing and the growling vocals delivered with the right amount of vitriol, conviction, and passion. Great powerful and memorable riffs, a tight yet organic sounding rhythmic attack, and add to that those aggressive growling vocals, and you have a hit. While not all tracks are equally memorable, there are several featuring hooks to die for. As examples take a listen to the rock´n´roll oriented guitar solo which starts the album opener "It", or the infectiously catchy chorus of "Mister Frye, the Janitor Guy". It´s not everyday you come across a deathgrind album with hooks, and I think it shows pretty well that these guys/girls aren´t just skilled musicians, they are also skilled composers with an ear for the adventurous (but never silly) detail.

"Stranger" is packed in a powerful, raw, and organic sounding production, so that side of the album is also of high quality. The music and the production simply go hand in hand really well. "Freakery" is a pretty great album, that Cretin can rightfully be proud of, but I think they´ve taken a step up with "Stranger" and a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.