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GIRLZEROTH - FIGHT AGAINST STIGMA
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Out now via Underground Syndicate - GIrlzeroth’s Fight Against Stigma showcases the band reclaiming momentum through brutal force. Formed in Bandung in 2008, the group survived years of instability and a prolonged hiatus before re-emerging with a sharpened sense of purpose. However, this EP does not frame that return as a comeback story, but rather presents itself as evidence.
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The record opens with Ignition, a brief, ritualistic prelude that misdirects before collapsing into velocity. From the title track onward, restraint is discarded. The riffs are tight and abrasive, favoring abrupt shifts and dense phrasing over groove or atmosphere. Upan’s drumming drives the material with constant pressure, while Emil’s bass holds down low-end weight without any signs of ornamentation. Andry’s vocals remain locked in a harsh, percussive register, functioning more as an extension of the rhythm section as the record proceeds.
Tracks Abolition Carnage and Hypocritical Mask emphasize repetition and acceleration, creating a sense of physicality. Truth in Collapse briefly loosens things up, allowing fragments of accessibility before snapping back into aggression. Servant of Sinner stands as the EP’s most fierce assault, compressing its ideas into a short, devastating burst. The closing The End Strike withdraws into sampled ambience, cutting the record off with no resolve.
Lyrically and conceptually, Fight Against Stigma targets judgment, limitation, and social pressure, but the message is carried throughout its execution. Led by guitarist Neng Jemping, Girlzeroth’s sound rejects compromise and sentimentality. This EP functions as a declaration of continuity and intent, positioning the band’s next full-length as a logical escalation with reinvention nowhere in sight.
SCORE 8.5/10
Words by LearnTwoExist
In collaboration with Headbangers Australia