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IVEBEENSHOT - DOZA

Review by Alex Harrison @ The Apparatus
Saturday, 02 February 2008

Overall Rating (Weighted) – 7.8/10
Musicianship – 8.0

Composition – 8.0

Experimentation – 7.0

Production – 8.0

Value – 8.0

Ivebeenshot seem pretty angry. I don't know about exactly what, but there is no question that these three guys are pissed and it shows. They haven't been around for very long but it's surprising that this is only their first full-length. For a debut from a young band it seems very focused and does not drag it's feet. DOZA is relentlessly brutal, fast and heavy as fuck. Imagine if Implosive Disgorgence hadn't gone downhill but better. Every minute of the album is crammed to capacity with non-stop riffing, blasts, breakdowns and downright evil vocals spewing some of the most hateful and nihilistic lyrics I've read in a while which are surprisingly original and intelligent (don't let the track titles fool you!). I say read, of course, because no matter how hard you try I don't think you could understand one word being uttered probably because of the predominant use of guttural vocals and pig squeals by Lee Artavia. For such restricting vocal styling, he's got quite some range going in and out from high pitched screams to the stomach-imploding lows without breaking a sweat. On "Ivebeencancelled" Lee starts off with standard high screaming and effortlessly transforms it into what I imagine Grendel's death cry sounded like. He has something to say and this band won't take no for an answer. The vocals stand in the foreground confidently and unabashed, never giving you a moment to catch a breath. You just sit and listen as you're violently and quickly grabbed by your ears until the last song ends.

I wouldn't believe it if you told me that Ivebeenshot are comprised of only three guys. I didn't know you could make music this fast and heavy with only one guitar and no bass. Nick Scaccia's guitar could make Daniel Laskiewicz's guitar cry openly and shamefully at how light it sounds in comparison to this. Not since this album has music this heavy not bored me to tears. It doesn't even give me a chance to be bored. Not even the breakdowns bore me and when that happens, you've done something right. Now I don't mean to make it seem like all DOZA is is fast riffage and sick breakdowns, because that's not the case. Though the majority is that, there are a few technical surprises in the mix that keep this release fresh. Take "Put Out or Get Out", track four. This song starts, stops, starts again all very quickly as you hear a very skewed and borderline obnoxious riff that goes straight into a slow breakdown with layered vocals, vaguely reminiscent of that one part in Cattle Decapitation's "Alone At the Landfill" where you hear nothing but excruciating and agonizing screams. You know what I'm talking about. Yeah, you do. There'sno formula to any of the songs, though breakdowns do seem to take center stage, there are various different guitar riffs and progressions that are all noticeable. Even the ambience in songs sounds like they should be there, it's not just used to give songs more depth, it's all very clear. In the percussion department, the same is true. Again I'll use "Put Out or Get Out" as an example. Jake Snyder plays some impressively clean, steady and precise blast beats all while dancing all around the cymbals in the process. Of course, not the most technical of music but it keeps it from getting stale. I can listen to boring blasts all fucking day, so I appreciate it when musicians decide to jazz it up a bit. I notice it and I appreciate it.

The music, while not the most original in the modern extreme music front, is easily distinguishable as pure Ivebeenshot and they've come quite a way since their Anchorman-inspired "Stay Classy" demo. Everything sounds impressively tight, they are all obviously comfortable with their instruments. I was certainly impressed when I was handed this, to say the least. This style of music isn't exactly my specialty or preference but this is a death metal/grind/hardcore hybrid I can enjoy. It's done right. Yeah, sure sometimes the music seems ridiculously heavy but I severely doubt anyone will complain about that, especially not Ivebeenshot's fan base.

This is what a debut full-length record from a promising band should sound like. It's taken them a long while to finally make this and it's good to see all their effort and hardwork payed off. Ivebeenshot have set the bar for what bands trying to write deathgrind with substance, and while it may not be perfect, not by a long shot, it has certainly showed us what this band is capable of. They have no where to go but up from here, and DOZA is a great start. A magnum opus it is not, but if it's any indication, this band will make their mark known.

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IVEBEENSHOT - DOZA

Review by Sage @ Heathen Harvest
Tuesday, 01 April 2008

Falling straight out of the cunt of death metal's rancid reproductive system, Grindcore, Ivebeenshot were born upon the world in 2004 with a nice fat gristly placenta of radioactive goo. Coming out of one of the richest parts of the country, Orange County California, its no wonder their attitudes are so disgustingly furious. How could you not come to that mindset when growing up around a bunch of trendfuck scumsluts? It all started with the Fun for the Whole Family Demo in '05 which bares one of the best track titles in grindcore history: Stomach Bile Tastes like your Mother. Since then, this three piece has been an unstoppable collective of brutality, lustful gore, and fun at your expense. And we're not even to the music yet...

It should surprise everyone after hearing this album that the band only consists of three men, as the sound is way beefier than most modern metal projects manage to achieve. Obviously its the layers that are doing the work for them so the live experience might be a bit different, but for all intents and purposes, this might be one of the most well-produced underground grind albums of this year. The drums especially are crystal fucking clear. Musically, originality isn't the bands strong point, but where they lack in that direction they more than make up for in intensity and musical prowess. There are times when the drums are so tight that I want to say that they're machine-based, but the cymbals are too real sounding and varied to be fake. I guess Jack Snyder is really just that good. And we can't forget the sick screams of Lee Artavia and Nick Scaccia's brutal riffing. Its a bit sad that he resorts to the typical dis-harmonic breaks once in a while, but they have their place and are fitting. Glad he stays away from it for the most part unlike some of their more well-known counterparts in the grind scene.

For a debut, this is top notch material. Its hard to believe musicians with this much talent remain underground, but with the competition these days and the fact that everyone and their grandma seems to be a musician of some sort, it shouldn't be that surprising. Kudos to the 187 for promoting their bands accordingly as well, not nearly enough do. This is one to support for any general grindcore fan out there, or even math metal enthusiasts could probably find themselves enjoying most of this album.

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IVEBEENSHOT - DOZA

Review by Bart @ ROAR E-Zine
Thursday, 03 April 2008

"You Will Get Shot"

Nowadays grindcore is rising up, but that’s because lately a lot of band have been mixing it with death metal and some hardcore. IVEBEENSHOT try to keep their grindcore pure.

And it is clear that you are dealing with a pure grindcore band when you hear the first song of ’DOZA’. Pig squeals and extremely fast, almost drum computer like, drums are taking the upper hand. The guitar is kind of falls into the background but still has a typical sound. Especially during the slow mosh breakdowns.

Musically there is nothing bad to say about this band, especially when you know that this band has just 3 bandmembers. The music may not sound that original and sometimes is too chaotic for me, but there is nothing wrong with that. Overall this album has a filthy sound which totally fits if you are releasing a grindcore record.

And what is a grindcore album without some weird songtitles? Exactly, nothing. So the guys from IVEBEENSHOT did their best to come up with some strange songtitles, and they succeeded.

I have to say that this is one of the first grindcore albums that I like, so props for IVEBEENSHOT!

79/100

::Dutch Version::

Grindcore muziek hoor je vandaag de dag steeds vaker, maar niet in een pure vorm. Vaak is het gemixt met death metal en een beetje hardcore. IVEBEENSHOT houdt het toch liever bij de pure grindcore.

En dat het puur is hoor je gelijk tijdens het eerste nummer van ‘DOZA’. Pig squeals en belachelijk snelle, bijna computergestuurde, drums is het eerste wat je opvalt. De gitaar blijft echter niet de overhand maar heeft toch ook een duidelijk geluid. Vooral tijdens de lompe breakdowns.

Muzikaal is er op deze band weinig aan te merken, zeker niet als je weet dat deze band uit maar 3 personen bestaat. Het klinkt soms niet even origineel en wordt het mij soms iets te chaotisch maar zorgt er niet voor dat dit een slechte plaat is. Over het algemeen klinkt het gewoon lekker smerig en zo hoort het ook als je een grindcore album uitbrengt.

Maar wat is een grindcore album nou zonder vreemd songtitels? Inderdaad, een stuk minder. Dus gelukkig hebben de heren van IVEBEENSHOT ook hun best (proberen) te doen om gekke titels te bedenken en dat is ze redelijk gelukt.

Ik moet zeggen dat dit een keer grindcore is dat ik wel trek. Dus bij deze props voor IVEBEENSHOT!

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