Leng Tch'e

Leng Tch'e is a Belgian grindcore group from Ghent, active since 2001. The band forms in 2001 from members of Aborted and the underground band Anal Torture, and it develops a hybrid approach to grindcore that draws on Regurgitate, Hemdale, Nasum and Blood Duster, while also incorporating stoner rock and hardcore elements. The group calls this style “razorgrind”.

Style and development

The band’s early releases include a split 7-inch and two full-length albums, which help it build a strong underground following. Its sound is marked by fast, extreme grindcore, later expanding to include heavier and more pronounced death metal riffing. The group remains identified with grindcore and deathgrind, and its later work continues to refine the razorgrind approach.

Albums and releases

Leng Tch'e’s third album, The Process of Elimination, is released on Relapse Records in 2005 and is mixed by Tue Madsen, who also works with The Haunted, Aborted and Dark Tranquillity. This record brings wider recognition. The follow-up, Marasmus, appears on Relapse Records in 2007 and is mixed by Fredrik Nordström, known for work with At the Gates and In Flames. It pushes the band further towards heavier death metal riffing. The fifth album, Hypomanic, is released on Season of Mist in 2010, produced by Russ Russell, whose credits include Napalm Death, Brujeria and Dimmu Borgir. In 2017 the band releases Razorgrind on Season of Mist.

Earlier releases listed for the group include Death by a Thousand Cuts and Man Made Predator in 2002 and 2003 respectively on The Spew, a split 7-inch with Black Ops on The Spew in 2002, a split CD with Warscars on Bones Brigade in 2006, and a split 7-inch/CD with Fuck The Facts on Power It Up in 2008.

Live activity

Leng Tch'e appears at major extreme metal festivals including Furyfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Summer Breeze Open Air, Maryland Deathfest, Death Feast Open Air, Moscow Deathfest, Neurotic Deathfest, Metalfest Open Air and Obscene Extreme. The band also tours widely, including a month-long European tour with Origin and Psycroptic.

Line-up

Current members are Sven De Caluwé, Olivier Coppens, Steven van Cauwenbergh and Boris Cornelissen.