UMUR "Pitchfork" is the debut release by US hard rock/metal/hardcore act Clutch. It´s a 4 track, 13:55 minutes long EP originally released on 7" vinyl only in October 1991 through Inner Journey Records. It wasn´t until 1999 that "Pitchfork" saw a re-release on CD. The 4 tracks from the EP are also featured as the opening tracks on the compilation album "Pitchfork & Lost Needles (2005)"

The music on "Pitchfork" is a far cry from the hard rock music style that Clutch are known for today and if you´re only familiar with their post 1995 material you might be in for a surprise. Listening to "Pitchfork" you´ll be exposed to aggressive and groove based hardcore. The vocals by Neil Fallon are raw, shouting, and aggressive, the rhythms are hard edged and groovy, and the riffs are at times crushingly heavy. Being a debut release it´s amazing how confident Clutch sound. They certainly don´t sound like debutants. The musicianship is excellent, the sound production is powerful, sharp and clear, and the songwriting is of pretty good standard too. I like how catchy the tracks are and how the band incorporate little details to keep the listener entertained.

"Pitchfork" is an amazingly professional debut release by Clutch and if you enjoy groove based and well written hardcore, this is definitely not the worst purchase you could make. A 3 - 3.5 star rating is warranted.