Debates about what counts as grindcore have been going on for decades, but one thing is certain – SUFFERING QUOTA couldn’t care less about definitions.
Their 2023 album “Collide” is not an attempt to reinvent the wheel but to crush everything in its path with it. This Dutch band fuses grindcore, death metal, crust, and hardcore into twenty minutes of raw aggression, leaving absolutely no room to breathe.
The album kicks off with “Out,” its riffs cutting like a rusted blade while the drums blast mercilessly and the bass rumbles like it was pulled from a post-apocalyptic junkyard. Short, chaotic, and effective—exactly what grindcore should be. “Rights” and “Side” continue the assault, but with dynamic shifts that keep things fresh. At one point, “Side” slows down into a crushing, oppressive rhythm, giving the whole thing a sense of unstoppable force, while the bass grinds away like a tank rolling through ruins.
“Grow” erupts in pure hardcore violence, refusing to linger on any single moment for too long, while “Pig” brings in a bit of groove, alternating between rapid bursts and heavier, slower sections that tie back to the band’s punk roots. “False” delivers jagged riffing and explosive speed, paving the way for the final chapter—”Scorn.” In the context of the entire album, this is the only “long” moment, but that’s precisely why it carries extra weight—four minutes of d-beat and hardcore brutality, shifting tempos, and an atmospheric fade-out into pure, distorted noise.
Compared to their previous releases, “Collide” sounds sharper and more defined without losing any of its rawness. The production is clean but not overly polished, allowing the riffs and ferocious vocals to hit with full force. Recorded live in the studio, the album carries an undeniable energy – tight, electrified, and perfectly balancing chaos and control.
Some might argue that the album doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the genre, but there’s no denying that SUFFERING QUOTA know exactly how to deliver an explosive dose of rage in perfect proportions. In the vast sea of grindcore releases, “Collide” stands out not by reinventing the sound but by its sheer precision and impact. If you’re looking for a 20-minute sonic beatdown that leaves no survivors, this is an album you need to play at full volume.
A massive thanks to Simon from 7Degrees Records for making sure this record found its way onto my turntable – this one definitely deserved a proper spin.
Check out SUFFERING QUOTA – “Collide” below:
