Escuela Grind – Dreams on Algorithms (Review)

Escuela Grind are a hardcore/grindcore band from the US and this is their third album.

Following on from 2022’s promising Memory Theatre comes the 30 minutes of Dreams on Algorithms. On their new record, Escuela Grind live up to that promise and then some.

Dreams on Algorithms takes the template that Escuela Grind established on Memory Theatre and builds on it. The songs are longer, (relatively speaking), and have more meaty arrangements. It’s groove-heavy brutal music, taking strength from grindcore and metallic hardcore to produce songs that live in both worlds.

This is a punishing and pit-friendly collection of tracks. The songs sound huge and heavy, with a crushing production that allows the riffs to pop, the drums to pound, the bass to rumble, and the harsh vocals to sound better than ever. Of the latter, the singer’s voice is superb throughout, and her performance top drawer. Unexpectedly, she even breaks out the clean singing on the final song Turbulence, which works really well.

But what of the songs themselves? These have been tightened up and are well-crafted. The band make the most of the extra running time they have given themselves to flesh out the music with extra riffs, scathing snarls, and blasting aggression. The band change paces more often on this new album, but with skilled dynamic energy and an eye on the overall structure. There are more than enough massive riffs to satisfy, but the band don’t neglect grindcore’s ferocious speed either.

And, oh my, some of the riffs!

Dreams on Algorithms showcases Escuela Grind’s flair for brutality and hooks very well. It’s grindcore with a taste for thick metallic riffs and a furious hardcore heart. Like a howling collision between Napalm Death, Nails, Slipknot, and Misery Index.

Although I enjoyed Memory Theatre, Dreams on Algorithms is a notable step up for Escuela Grind. Everything has improved, from songwriting to production values to performances, making for a very strong record overall. Short, heavy, fun. What’s not to like?

Very highly recommended.