As a general rule, I'm kinda mean to stoner metal. Of all the genres that don't exactly reward exploration and are sorta derivative by rule, stoner metal tends to be the derivativest. Really there are only three directions you can veer off into when you take up the "stoner" mantle. Either you lean into your rock influences, your doom metal influences, or you just go full on drone. The Grind Fever takes the former more than anything, and honestly I really don't see how it could've turned out better any other way.
Cave Transmission is actually a pretty damn solid record all things considered, and I think it's because they spend less time worshipping Electric Wizard and instead tend to err towards Monster Magnet and Turbowolf. As a result, these guys are very energetic and upbeat and cover everything in thick layers of sleaze, but they don't stray too far from the more metallic edge they carry. "Precondemned" is heavy as fuck, and "Hope You Choke" is meaty and dangerous. The album is kinda weirdly paced, with the first few songs straddling the line between metal and rock pretty evenly, getting lighter as it goes, before the last two tracks just dive headfirst into raunchy doom metal. It's very Kyuss-esque in that regard, I get the feeling that these guys simply don't give a shit where the line between metal and rock truly lies so they just roll with whatever they're feeling. Hell, if it wasn't for the 8+ minute length, I could see "Turbulence" being played on the radio in the 90s easily. It's a very brooding and grungy track, with just enough accessible easiness to slot it nicely on such a rotation.
A big reason for that is the vocals, which are, unfortunately, also one of my few problems with the band. Francisco isn't bad by any means, but he seems to be far too soft and easy-going for the rolling riffage. He both fits and clashes with the music, and it's hard to explain such a thing, I know, but something about him just seems off. The undercurrent of grunge that I hear cropping up in places is probably just a trick my mind is playing on me since his voice is so harmless. Ultimately though, it's not a dealbreaker by any means, just something I think they could improve upon.
There isn't much more to say here, Cave Transmission is a fine little EP and a great way for The Grind Fever to signal their entrance into the scene. It's short and sweet and every song is "solid" at the absolute worst. If there are any real complaints it's simply that nothing is really a highlight besides "Hope You Choke" and the vocals are kinda weak. Otherwise, there isn't much to recommend outside of stoner fans, but it's a good time anyway. I certainly don't regret listening to it, even if I don't see myself returning too often.
RATING: 79%
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