Best Local Albums of 2010, #9: Shroud Eater - Shroud Eater EP

​County Grind is counting down the best local albums in South Florida. Monitor our progress here.

While the release of the band's full-length debut ThunderNoise won't drop until January, we'd be remiss to ignore the moody three-song EP by the heavy-rockin', dirty riffin' grrrls of Shroud Eater. (Sure, drummer Felipe Torres is a dude, but we'll deal.)

Formerly known as the Righteous Devices, as Shroud Eater the band has become a favorite among tri-county area stoner types. This self-titled and mostly instrumental EP turns out slowed-down, down-tuned gritty rock that incorporates psych-y guitars, more-techy metal compositions, and punk influences a la Jesus Lizard or Kylesa.

Vocalist and guitarist Jeannie Saiz's gravelly larynx churns out beastly rasps -- estrogen does wonders in maintaining a frequency that precludes that wholly annoying and clichéd demon growl -- and Torres' drums are full-frontal and seamless, giving a bit of order to the furious grooves Saiz and bassist Janette Valentine lay down. Oh, and did I mention it's mixed by Torche bassist Jonathan Nunez? If the full-length keeps up the momentum, despite a cold South Florida January, we'll have some uncompromising and fearsomely heavy face-melting to deal with.

Top Track: "We Are Beasts"