Toothless, Grinner | Track Review 🎵

Chaotic Wilkes-Barre, PA metalcore collective Toothless deliver a heavy dose of aggression on single “Grinner,” featuring Justin Bonitz.

Question: “Are you suspect of my motivations yet?” Sometimes, listening and partaking of total chaos is quite alluring and exhilarating.  An eccentric, manic, and noisy record can be just what the doctor ordered.  Particularly, considering that “Grinner” arrives in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, it perfectly captures the anger, angst, and bottled-up emotions most of us feel adjusting to abnormal, unexpected circumstances.  No, chaotic Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania metalcore collective Toothless didn’t pen “Grinner” with a pandemic in mind, but I can honestly say I felt relieved after listening to this wild ride, which features Justin Bonitz on vocals.

While “Grinner” isn’t pandemic inspired, it’s definitely built on a level of anxiety. “I’m gone, I’ve had enough waiting through this whole damned thing / I fear my only discourse is to die.” Well, that’s, um, dramatic, pained, unsettling, etc. The band describes the record as “spastic” and “aggressive” – I concur.  Everything about “Grinner” is over the top. It’s loud, in your face, and characterized by piercing, screamed vocals.  There’s a degree of distinction and uniqueness given the unorthodox, unconventional nature of the song.  Sure, we expect metal and metalcore to punch you right in the gut, like the guitars and drums do exceptionally well here, but there’s literally no restraint shown in the least – no let-up whatsoever.  What I’m saying is, “Grinner” “kicks ass and takes name” from start to finish, which is a mere 1:55.  It’s certainly a potent song just missing the two-minute-mark, of course.

Final Thoughts

“I’ll be sleeping in my own bed when those bastards come to take me.” Lovely.  Charming.  Toothless definitely impress on this brief gem from their three-song EP, Misinformed (May 5, 2020, Bandcamp and physical).  The vibe is, well, absolutely something else.  If you haven’t checked out Toothless, and you enjoy an exhilarating music ride, well, “Grinner” should tickle your fancy.  A great prelude to Misinformed by all means, not to mention the rad music video.

Toothless • Misinformed (EP) • Release: 5.5.20

Photo Credits:  Toothless, Travis Antoniello