What makes The Locust by The Locust notable?

The Locust is significant for its influence on the evolution of grindcore and mathcore, showcasing a style that combined extreme brevity with unorthodox lyrical themes. It received critical acclaim from underground music publications and helped solidify the band's reputation as pioneers of noise-infused punk, paving the way for similar acts in the late '90s and early 2000s. Released in 1997, The Locust marked the band's self-titled debut EP, emerging as a unique voice in the hardcore punk scene. At this point, they were establishing their identity with a sound characterized by its unconventional song structures and satirical elements, setting the stage for future releases that would further develop their avant-garde approach.

How many songs are on The Locust?

The Locust has 11 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

The Locust

The Locust · 1997

7 min · 11 tracks · hardcore punk

Chaotic, blistering hardcore punk that fuses absurdist humor with frenetic energy and relentless brevity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Prepare to Qualify — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of speed and humor, with its rapid-fire delivery setting an immediate tone for the EP's chaotic energy.
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Kill Roger Hedgecock — The track serves as a biting commentary on media culture, encapsulating the band's penchant for absurdity while delivering a relentless sonic assault.
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Cattle Mutilation — With its jarring shifts and provocative title, this song highlights the band's ability to critique societal norms through visceral sound and imagery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The EP's chaotic energy and unique lyrical approach mark it as a distinct entry in hardcore punk.

What we noticed

The EP features tracks that rarely exceed two minutes, emphasizing brevity and intensity.
Song structures are often unconventional, with abrupt tempo changes and chaotic transitions.
Lyrical themes incorporate absurdist humor, contrasting sharply with the aggressive musical style.
The first track serves as an interlude, setting a tone of disjointedness that persists throughout.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Halfway to a Worthless Ideal Arrangement (An interlude to a Discontinued Sarcastic Harmony… Yea Whatever) 0:44
2 Prepare to Qualify 0:31
3 Kill Roger Hedgecock 0:46
4 Pain Reliever 0:27
5 Off by a Long Shot 0:42
6 Cattle Mutilation 0:27
7 #99 1:19
8 Head Hits Concrete 0:27
9 Hairspray Suppository 0:43
10 Ass Gravity 0:47
11 Keep Off the Tracks 0:33

What to play next

Listen next

The Locust

1999

Go back to

The Locust / Jenny Piccolo

1996

Full The Locust discography Artists like The Locust

hardcore punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata