Thotcrime – D1G1T4L_DR1FT
Release Date: 28th October 2022
Label: Prosthetic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Cybergrind, Grindcore, Metalcore, Math Rock, Hyperpop, Technical Death Metal, Trance.
FFO: Horse the Band, Fuck the Facts, IamError, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Enter Shikari.
Review By: Joe McKenna
A new addition to the Prosthetic Records roaster, the multi-international cybergrind/hyperpop quartet Thotcrime are the digitally enhanced, genre-bending bearers who are currently generating a buzz amongst many online music communities. Gleefully delving into a technologically augmented musical landscape that experiments willingly with the extreme ends of electronically infused grindcore, metalcore, and math rock, whilst implementing a frenzy of hyper-pop madness. The band’s musical output to date features a diverse collection of releases from their 2020 debut ønyøurcømputer and a handful of remixes and splits with other artists such as Headgore. All of which can be accessed through the artist’s Bandcamp page. Thotcrime’s sophomore full length record D1G1T4L_DR1FT is the much anticipated follow up to their 2020 debut and sees these cybergrind experts fulfil their digitally enriched musical individuality through an embrace of technological extremity and DIY focussed collaborations via online collaborations with Discord servers and online messaging boards. This self-produced album shines a light on a new wave of online-centred heavy music that isn’t afraid to play around with a handful of contrasting styles and sounds.
The first thing that immediately grabs the listeners attention with this album is the sheer amount of energy that is formulated from this merging of traditional extreme metal instrumentation of Malady Jane’s guitar work, that brings an abrasive and distorted feel, and the overload of electronic elements which seem well produced by tech expert here K Salmon, and volatile break beats by drummer Dot Holmer; all whilst Hayleyy Sparxx’s vocals rave and roar in a constant motion of power. There certainly isn’t a lack of genre experimentation here either, you can find yourself going from a mathsy rhythmic intro into a wild tech death metal inspired guitar break to an energetic hyperpop verse that really lifts the insanity up a notch.
It’s hard to offer an overall analysis of these songs in such brief detail because in all honesty, each of these tracks adds something different in terms of experimentation and genre. The opening track This isn’t Foundation, Now Give Me Your Skin Pleas does exactly what the bizarre and antagonistic title says, it has dissonant chord changes, threatening vocals, and aggressive blast beats. Similar tracks There Will Come Soft Rains and Critical Codependence feature the more metallic characteristics as well, yet they push into some interesting trance and EDM territory that challenges the conventional presumption, proving that heavy music doesn’t have to be limited to distorted guitars and harsh vocals. A perfect example of this can be heard through the thumping growl synth leads on the hypnotic trust://fall and incredibly angsty Tweet This! or the intense sonic data overload on 4V3R4G3_TU35D4Y.exe highlights the artist’s engagement with digital sounds being pushed to their most extreme limits. Other tracks offer a cool balance between both the analogue and digital heaviness like This Is My Breakdown, I Get To Pick The Music which seems to demonstrate how both of these musical approaches can rely on each other to expand the aggressive energy.
Thotcrime do appear to be establishing a cult status in their early career through their digitally volatile approach to heavy music that is blowing up in the realms of cyberspace. Each collective member offers something unique to this project, whilst contributing their recording efforts across various parts of the globe, be it honouring a range of traditional extreme metal characteristics; pushing new sonic ideas into digital overdrive; or experimenting with unconventional genres that many metal and hardcore musicians would be too afraid of even attempting, D1G1T4L_DR1FT breaks that mould. 
(4 / 5)
