5 Albums to Introduce You to Cybergrind

In a more-than-ever confusing time to be chronically online, perhaps you’ve heard whispers of a trendy new, meme saturated genre captivating younger millennials and gen z? Have you or a loved one been exposed to cybergrind? You may be entitled to financial compensation, if so. The reality of the, at times hard to describe, genre that is cybergrind is a history at least as old as the dawn of the 21st century if not the internet itself.

Originating primarily in digital spaces, specifically the social media giant that was Myspace, cybergrind is often associated with the “scene” era of the mid-first decade of the 2000’s, a testament to and byproduct of newfound DIY empowerment for artists of all kinds in the rapidly evolving digital age and widely more affordable and accessible music technology and platforms. It largely existed in underground, online niche communities and subcultures until the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020 that seemingly catalyzed a new interest and unprecedented boom in the genre, likely largely in part to the fact that more people were spending time online alone at home and needed things to do.

Though it is hard to arrive at a unanimously agreed upon consensus for what the exact sonic traits of cybergrind are, the most frequently mentioned two common attributes that seem to define it are the use of programmed drums/drum machines and electronics. This has led to its close association with its cousin genre of similar origins, nintendocore. However, cybergrind undoubtedly predates its relative and though much of nintendocore can be considered cybergrind, not nearly as much of cybergrind can be considered nintendocore. Though technically, cybergrind is categorized as a subgenre of grindcore, its rich history and evolution proves that to be an unnecessarily narrow definition of it. The modern manifestation of cybergrind is an amalgamation of genres such as nintendocore, metalcore, hyperpop, and other “cyber music”.  

Here are five classic and contemporary cybergrind albums to get you acquainted with one of the most unique and overlooked genres of our day and age. 

Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope

Perhaps a controversial take, but Agoraphobic Nosebleed paved way for much of cybergrind with their heavy use and publicized prevalence of drum machines in their music, not to mention the integration of experimental electronics. Outside of underground extreme music, this was largely unusual for the late 90’s and early 2000’s in mainstream metal. The core of Agoraphobic Nosebleed’s novel sound has been replicated time and time again across the genre and Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope stands as a staple of not just cybergrind but 21st century metal as a whole. 

Blind Equation - Death Awaits

Indisputably, Blind Equation’s Death Awaits is the quintessential album for the representation of the contemporary cybergrind revival. A brilliant blend of traditional cybergrind and nintendocore infused with hyperpop flavorings, Death Awaits is arguably the ideal album to introduce someone to cybergrind. It is as heavy as it is catchy with an overall beautiful sound. Blind Equation has stood the test of time in the world of cybergrind for over a decade and in recent years has risen as one of its stars.

Go! With Fourteen O - The End Is Close. Almost No Need For Money.

Definitely the most nintendocore related on this list, Go! With Fourteen O’s The End Is Close. Almost No Need For Money. is an excellent example of the Myspace-era cyber sound that pervaded much of the mid-2000’s online music communities. With an LSDJ influenced drum and synth sound, and high-mix shrieking vocals, The End Is Close. Almost No Need For Money. is a perfect introduction to the more playful and light hearted side of cybergrind.

Corvid Canine - Haunted Forest Melodies

Corvid Canine is another cybergrind project that has been active for quite some time. With a variety of styles and takes on the genre, the project has shown its versatility and ability to consistently create unique sounding music. Haunted Forest Melodies is a classic Corvid Canine release and quintessential cybergrind album. Blistering drums emitting from deep in the heart of atmospheric synthetic soundscapes and smothering, wet vocals over raw production. It was also released on the prolific but short lived, NOG Records, which specialized in post-Myspace, niche cyber music such as cybergrind, noise, and chiptune; another great introduction point for the genre and more. If you’re looking for a novel, and occasionally overstimulating, take on cybergrind, Corvid Canine is a wonderful place to start.

ZOMBIESHARK! - BORN FROM A WISH

A glitching, quaking amalgamation of modern metalcore and electronic music, ZOMBIESHARK! is another rising star of the contemporary cybergrind community. BORN FROM A WISH is a highly produced, complete whiplash roller coaster from start to finish. Listeners will be pulled in all directions over the course of roughly 12 minutes and brutalized by inhuman double bass and riffs. An explosion of an album.