The difference, by ear
Mincecore is grindcore's most explicitly political and least musically ambitious wing, and Agathocles have been making it continuously since 1985.
Both are growled or screamed and move at much the same pace, around 200 to 320 bpm. To hear the difference, play Agathocles next to Napalm Death. Mincecore grew out of grindcore, five years later.
In figures
Mincecore
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Grindcore › Mincecore
In short
Deliberately primitive grindcore with blunt political messages and thousands of appearances on split releases.
How it sounds
- Deliberately primitive production, often recorded straight to cassette.
- Songs under a minute with simple, accelerated punk riffs.
- Blunt political lyrics printed in full, with an anti-militarist message.
Key acts
- Agathocles
- Archagathus
Start here
The pickAgathocles - Theatric Symbolisation of Life. The most accessible way in.
Full page →Grindcore
Where it sits
In short
Hardcore and death metal compressed into songs under a minute, with continuous blast beats. Napalm Death have a song that lasts one second.
How it sounds
- Blast beats at maximum speed, songs under a minute, albums of twenty minutes.
- Short hardcore and death metal riffs with no development.
- Dual vocals: guttural growl and high shriek, alternating rapidly.
Key acts
- Napalm Death
- Repulsion
- Terrorizer
- Brutal Truth
Start here
The pickNapalm Death - Scum. Side B, with Bill Steer on guitar, is the essential half.
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