Great Falls - The Bite That Grows Up

When Great Falls released their Neurot Recordings debut Objects Without Pain in 2023, it sounded like a nuclear explosion, one of the most crushing and despondent albums ever to come out of the Pacific Northwest. Drawing favorable comparisons to artists like Ken Mode, Chat Pileand Old Man Gloom, it showed clear influence from seminal artists throughout its history, alongside a progression all their own.

This entire album is a chaotic listen with disorienting rhythms and dissonant riffs that are difficult to pin down, turning on a dime as soon as you try to nod your head to it. This is largely thanks to the complex, lightning-fast drumming of Nick Parks (Gaytheist) and Shane Mehling’s (Playing enemy) destructive bass tone, written to line up with Johnston, or completely deviate, at the right time. Mehling is also known for a stage presence just as intense and aggressive as the monstrous tone of his instrument. Johnston and Mehling have been best friends for 25 years, and when the latter dives into the audience and starts headbutting concertgoers because his rig stopped working, all the other can do is laugh, and simply respond with “It’s not supposed to sound like that.”

The Bite That Grows Up is full of pummeling misery and heartbreak, yet the most arresting part of the record is a moment of relief.