by Death Grips
Released May 6, 2016 via Third Worlds / Harvest Records
Reviewed May 6, 2021
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Giving Bad People Good Ideas (50%), Three Bedrooms In A Good Neighborhood (38%), Bottomless Pit (33%)
The middle of the 2010s was a tumultuous period for Death Grips fans, with poorly received live-shows, delayed albums, hiatuses, ‘break-ups’ and unannounced reformations. Bottomless Pit was a statement that they were ‘back for good,’ and you can tell this from its lack of ambition compared to their previous double-LP The Powers That B (2015). That doesn’t mean much though, as Death Grips is inherently ambitious. Bottomless Pit is a return to eccentric form with jittering synthesisers tumbling over each other and obscure samples flickering like light at the bottom of a swimming pool. Gruff, piercing guitars intermittently return as an expansion of what their last record explored, and once-again, there is a diverse yet cohesive range of vocal performances and lyricism from MC Ride. At a modest thirty-nine minutes, Bottomless Pit conveys everything it needs to, but also serves as a culmination of Death Grips’ career, from their inception to their bitter ‘end.’ – Cam (9.5/10)
Is it possible to pick one album as the most chaotic of all Death Grips albums? An argument exists for nearly each piece of their catalog, but my money might have to go on Bottomless Pit. Arguably their most electronically infused release to date, Bottomless Pit makes generous use of jerky, entrancing synths that combine with the abrasive and hard-hitting percussion that Zach Hill always provides. This creates an environment that’s awfully hard to follow, but simultaneously irresistible to the ear. And while the trio’s production thoroughly mindfucks you, MC Ride’s unorthodox stylings thrive off confusion as he delivers cryptic, manic-like, aggressive bars that smack you in the face and would rob all your belongings if they were given sentience. This record doesn’t stray too far from the prototypical Death Grips formula, but all three members brought their A-game on here and made sure Bottomless Pit struck that beloved sweet spot between exhilarating and anxiety-inducing. – Dominick (9/10)
Few acts single handedly manifest their own lane and sculpt their own being. Death Grips are the contemporary poster child for an antithetical commercial existence. Bottomless Pit is Death Grips at their most presentable, although it may be a stretch to call it accessible. It is as close to a pop sensible Death Grips as you're going to get, and for this reason it may just be the ideal point to start if you're looking to get into their work. Scattered throughout Bottomless Pit are moments of pristine and forthright beauty. Maybe not beauty in the sense that we have come to understand as 'good-looking' or pleasant on the eyes and ears, but beautiful in the sense that the unconventional can be presented in a listenable manner. The landscape of the 2010's music scene wouldn't be the same without the presence of this forward-thinking Sacramento three-piece. – Peter (8.5/10)
Cam: 9.5/10 | Jared: 9.5/10 | Dominick: 9/10 | Hadley: 9/10
Alan: 8.5/10 | Peter: 8.5/10 | Daniel: 8.2/10 | DeVán: 8/10
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