Cretin is a seminal American deathgrind band formed in 1992 in Santa Cruz, California. Despite a long period of dormancy, the band is a critical link in the evolution of the West Coast extreme metal scene, featuring members with deep ties to foundational acts like Exhumed and Repulsion.
Their sound is a meticulous preservation of the late 80s and early 90s grindcore aesthetic, specifically the 'goregrind' style that emphasizes rhythmic variety over pure speed. Led by Marissa Martinez, the band's output is characterized by its storytelling approach to lyrics, often exploring dark, transgressive, and surreal themes. Critically, they are lauded for their 'old school' sensibility, avoiding the over-production of modern metal in favor of a raw, punchy, and organic sound. Their position in the Relapse Records roster solidified them as torchbearers for a specific lineage of American grind that values the 'riff' as much as the 'blast.'
Shares deathgrind, death metal, voice_as_instrument, explosive_bursts (signature)
Shares deathgrind, death metal, explosive_bursts, gravelly (signature)
Shares deathgrind, death metal, gravelly, screaming (signature)
Shares death metal, gravelly, screaming, aggressive (subgenre)
Shares deathgrind, death metal, gravelly, screaming (signature)
Shares death metal, voice_as_instrument, explosive_bursts, gravelly (subgenre)
Shares deathgrind, death metal, gravelly, screaming (signature)
Shares death metal, cathartic, gravelly, screaming (subgenre)
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