What makes Bastardiser by Knut notable?

Bastardiser received critical acclaim for its intense sound and complex arrangements, helping to define the Swiss metal landscape of the late '90s. Notably, it paved the way for Knut's subsequent recognition in the international mathcore community, influencing bands with its unique approach to heavy music. Released in 1998, Bastardiser was Knut's debut album, establishing their presence in the Swiss metal scene. Following a series of demos, this record positioned them as innovators within the mathcore genre, showcasing a raw sound that would influence future works.

How many songs are on Bastardiser?

Bastardiser has 9 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Bastardiser

Knut · 1998

39 min · 9 tracks · sludge metal

A chaotic blend of mathcore and sludge metal, marked by aggressive rhythms and dissonant melodies that challenge conventional song structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crawling on All Fours — This opening track sets the tone with its relentless energy and intricate guitar work, showcasing the band's ability to merge aggression with technical prowess.
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The Whip — With its punishing tempo changes and harsh vocal delivery, this track exemplifies Knut's signature style while pushing the boundaries of sludge metal.
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Crouch — As the longest track on the album, it explores extended instrumental sections and dynamic shifts, highlighting the band's experimental edge and depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

Bastardiser showcases complex arrangements and a unique blend of styles, marking its significance in the mathcore genre.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks often shifting from slow, heavy riffs to fast-paced sections within the same song.
Dissonant melodies are prevalent, creating a chaotic sound that challenges traditional song structures and keeps the listener engaged.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and more subdued tones, adding to the dynamic range of each track.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Crawling on All Fours 3:19
2 Engine 4:14
3 The Whip 3:01
4 High-Low 3:00
5 Merge 4:16
6 Fungus Mat 4:23
7 Wiped Out 2:24
8 Descent 4:18
9 Crouch 10:49

What to play next

Listen next

Terraformer

2005

Go back to

Challenger

1998

Full Knut discography Artists like Knut

mathcore sludge metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata