siLLy puPPy Belarusian band from Maladzechna that existed from 2003 to 2011 and had a number of lineup changes. The band started out as a comedic crust punk / grindcore band and released a couple demos in 2004 but soon switched things up to a goregrind sound in the vein of early Carcass and immediately got signed to the Czech goregrind label Bizarre Leprous Production and soon following the debut “The Perverted Position Of Interiors.”

After a hefty touring schedule and the EP “Chainsaw Cesarian Section,” STICKOXYDAL released this second and last full-length OBSTETRICAL COLLECTION which showcased the band’s maturity as a goregrind / death grind band with a wider range of styles inserted into the utter brutality of the dissonant guitar chugs. This album features 24 tracks and for a goregrind release quite long at nearly 34 minutes.

Well, nothing totally new under the sun here. Typical goregrind themes of pathological conditions, violence and medical terminology. Musically in the mid-tempo range with extremely caustic guitar tones and a bass line that often bleeds into the overall fuzz. Somewhat lazy drumming as it merely keeps the time and a variety of vocals ranging pig squeals to spastic grunts and weird bird calls? Ha, not sure what some of those are to be honest.

Only two tracks exceed two minutes! Most are around one or less. Over the top and to the point STICKOXYDAL must’ve been all the rage in Belarus where this kind of kitschy metal wasn’t ever in fashion. Personally i find this OK but not extremely exciting as it lacks variety and is the kind of metal you can learn to play in like 5 minutes! Sure i love me some shock and awe but it’s not in the same league as early Carcass, Pharmacist, Viscera Infest or Exhumed. Just gets the job done but does it as well as it can.

I always love the track listings on these kinds of goregrind releases though. I mean how can you not love: “Fear of the Vaginal Birth,” “ Hunt The Cunt,” “Rectovaginal Fistula Or Perineal Rupture 3rd Degree,” “Umbilical Chord Entanglement” or “Uterine Flooding!” The album goes by fast and although it’s decent it’s not something really beckons a return visit as it’s average at best. A beast for sure but not the best by any stretch of the imagination.