I first stumbled upon Slaughter To Prevail in 2021 with the release of “Baba Yaga”, thanks to reaction channels like Jaimunji here for Metal on Tap. It wasn’t exactly what I usually chuck on—being way heavier and more brutal than my norm—but I instantly found myself captivated by Alex Terrible’s insane vocal range and raw power. Fast-forward a couple of years, and I’ve been lucky enough to catch them live three times across two Australian tours—these guys are now one of my top bands. I’ve personally streamed tracks from their last album, Kostolom, over 1,000 times, and with over 240 streams of the Grizzly singles already (thanks Stats.fm for the numbers), you could say I’m pretty hyped to sink my teeth into the full album!
Now I’d tell you to strap yourself in, but you’re given no time to settle or get ready for this one, as “Banditos” kicks things off right away with Evgeny Novikov’s machine-gun drums and Jack Simmon’s screeching guitars! Alex Terrible joins in with his brutal vocals soon after, delivering his signature animalistic roar before diving into the actual lyrics. The chorus slows things down slightly, with an almost marching-like drum line that emphasises each note. The boys crank things up another notch after the second chorus – more raw, more brutal. The interlude is almost comical in stark contrast to the rest of the track with a short Russian clip singing of bandits, gangsters, and outlaw themes in an almost Mariachi band tone – before the song bows out with the same power and brutality it began with.
Jack delivers a catchy-as-hell guitar riff intro for the next one, before Alex opens with “Oh, it’s gonna be F@#KING BRUTAL!” And, unsurprisingly, it is indeed F*#king brutal! “Russian Grizzly in America” brings the heat with Russian verses—Alex Terrible spitting lines almost like a demonic rap, faster-paced and in a higher, harsher tone, quite different from his usual guttural style. Alex has spoken about and shown that he’s been working on his vocal range over the last few years, and it definitely shows that it’s paying off! Continuing the theme of bears, “Песенка о Медведях” (“A Song About Bears”) features in an interesting interlude, and if you watch the video (which I highly recommend), you’ll even spot a cameo from another famous bear on the TV! The song’s end features another brutal breakdown, with Alex proving he’s not human with an animalistic guttural growl that wouldn’t sound out of place in a horror or monster flick.
Alex’s impressive new vocal range is on full display once again in “Imdead,” showcasing gnarly growls and haunting screams—his full repertoire on show! He steps aside for the chorus, as another vocalist with impressive range takes the lead. Ronnie Radke jumps in for the quick, punchy chorus, then the track slows down, building into a crazy breakdown with Evgeny’s blistering drums and Ronnie’s screams—high octane stuff! Evgeny is a freak behind the kit—watch some videos or catch him live and you’ll see just how relentless and skilled he is.
“Babayka” offers a steady, pounding rhythm on drums underpinning a simple yet effective chugging riff. The pre-chorus stands out with Russian chanting that gives a sacred, ritualistic vibe—leading into a well-layered, anthemic chorus – with all of this I can’t help but picture a heavy metal monastery – which I think would be sick! Jack jumps in with a speedy riff before Evgeny, once again, shows his drumming prowess, layering up until you’re headbanging and stomping uncontrollably. Just when you think it’s over, there’s one last punchy breakdown—because, why not?
The unmistakable roar of the Viking horn signals the arrival of the next track, one of the epic singles released in 2023. With primal, guttural chanting layered and produced perfectly, Alex Terrible sounds like an entire tribe of Vikings storming Valhalla’s gates! And just when you think it can’t get more feral, he proves he’s no human once more with a bark-like growl before unleashing a guttural bellow—easily mistaken for a wild alligator or other feral beast you wouldn’t want to cross. By now, it’s incredible that Evgeny’s feet haven’t fallen off—he’s relentless, drumming with ferocity and precision. The chorus bares its teeth, keeping that primal energy high, before returning to the guttural chanting. A haunting guitar riff in the background ramps up the tension before Alex Terrible unleashes his beast once more—seriously, see this live, and that one line alone will blow your mind.
Slaughter To Prevail then in a surprisingly soft intro opens “Koschie,” with strummed acoustic guitar, but of course, that’s short-lived. A Rammstein-esque beat pounds in, building to a dark, epic track. The lyrics are once again in Russian—though you might not tell with the gnarly roars—and the layering makes Alex’s verses sound like a demonic choir of echoing voices. The track feels heavier, slower, with a marching tempo that leads into an epic breakdown—delivering four powerful lines in English—before fading out.
This next one is pretty straightforward, no intricate verses or deep and meaningful lyrics… just counting from 1 to 3 over and over, bouncing back and forth between two epic bands that decided f*** it, let’s make a banger together – and that’s exactly what they did! “Song 3” combines the forces of Baby Metal and Slaughter To Prevail, with MOMO giving Alex a run for his money in the brutal growl department. If you’re familiar with Baby Metal, you’ll know how contrasting their vocals are and how catchy their choruses can be—and this track is no exception.
If you need a boost at the gym or your next workout anthem, look no further! “Lift that shit” comes charging through, and if Alex Terrible aggressively yelling at you to lift that shit doesn’t help you bench that extra 10kg or deadlift that extra rep, you may need to turn the volume up and try again! This is the first track on Grizzly sung entirely in English and, honestly, I reckon it’s an anthem for Alex himself. If you don’t follow him or know much about him, he wrestles bears and tigers, fights in a Russian bare-knuckle league, loves guns and bikes, and enjoys all these things between pouring his blood, sweat and tears out on stages around the world. This track is exactly what you need to push through any challenge and get shit done.
“Behelit” is an epic tribute to the manga and anime Berserk and its late creator, Kentaro Miura, who sadly passed in 2021. The added symphonic elements and slow, rhythmic chugging guitar give it a theatrical, epic feel. Watching the music video is a must—I warn you though, you’ll want to binge Berserk next. Alex pours his heart into this track, especially in the chorus—delivering a raw, emotional wail that makes you feel like he’s living every character’s death and triumph. The track is stripped back to a slow, orchestral build-up – before the breakdown drops with immensely powerful energy, and just when you thought Alex had given his all, he gives an even more raw, determined delivery and you feel everything he’s feeling for that brief moment.
As heavy as Slaughter To Prevail are, I’m impressed with the diversity on this album—and “Rodina” probably stands out the most. Translating to “Family,” it’s a patriotic ode to Russia, feeling more grounded and personal than any other tracks. Opening with an acoustic intro, Alex Terrible then sings—yes, actually sings—His voice remaining powerful, even without the usual brutality. The chorus builds with grit and force, layered with traditional Russian orchestral elements that fuse heavy riffs with cultural pride. It’s a stirring track that captures homeland resilience, a raw testament to their roots in challenging times.
Next up is 2 minutes and 22 seconds of high-octane mayhem—“Conflict.” With a mix of Russian and English lyrics, it’s chaos incarnate, a sonic battlefield packed with fury and relentless aggression. The chorus hits hard with more guitar pinching, raw vocals, and pounding drums—an all-out sonic warzone. “Kid of Darkness” follows with an eerie build-up and a heavy, brooding riff, channelling the spirit of early Slipknot. Alex Terrible’s performance is pure anger and defiance, wrapped into one. The chorus’s wailing guitar adds an even more hellish, haunting vibe—a descent into darkness you won’t forget.
Finishing strong, “1984” kicks off with an epic guitar intro, drums rolling in, and Alex Terrible roaring into the finale. The track is relentless—punchy beats, a brutal chorus, and a soaring guitar solo from Jack before it ramps up again with a heavier, more intense solo, ending on a haunting riff. Despite the intensity, it delivers a powerful anti-war message—against the current chaos in Ukraine—and a plea for peace. I can’t imagine the courage it took to write, perform, and release this song as a Russian band, and I commend Alex and the band for standing firm in their beliefs.
Slaughter To Prevail’s meteoric rise has been impossible to ignore—from underground heroes to international metal giants in a short space of time. Alex Terrible’s commanding presence and the band’s relentless energy have earned them a global following, and Grizzly feels like a bold statement of their evolving sound—drawing inspiration from legends like Slipknot and Rammstein, yet forging their own path.
Overall, Grizzly is a hybrid powerhouse of deathcore and nu metal, and the band’s ever-growing range and ability are clear to see. With their signature heaviness combined with more emotional and personal themes, this album is a relentless assault on the senses—brutal, dark, and utterly uncompromising. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t just invite you in; it drags you through the pit, screams in your face, and leaves you questioning where you are and how you got there. A savage, epic ride that’s as thought-provoking as it is ferocious—exactly the kind of album that refuses to be ignored.
Rating: 9.5/10
