Album Review: Dead Cross - Dead Cross

In promotional material surrounding Dead Cross, drummer Dave Lombardo and vocalist Mike Patton have (understandably) been dominant topics of conversation.

But, the deus ex machina for the group's debut is really bassist Justin Pearson's other outfit The Locust. Like The Locust, Dead Cross specialise in blistering, hardcore aggression funnelled through unconventional angles at high velocity - 80% of the record's cuts barely skate past two minutes. But with Patton, Lombardo and guitarist Michael Crain in tow, that mission statement finds new stretches of speed, intensity and weirdness. It's a rewarding album for all concerned.