“Always Watching You” by Escuela Grind is a ferocious, twerk-inducing grindcore anthem that hooks you with its relentless energy and keeps you locked in with its blistering intensity. From the moment the track kicks off, you’re thrown into a whirlwind of raw, unfiltered aggression, delivered with a precision that only a band like Escuela Grind can pull off. This is grindcore at its finest—a chaotic, yet controlled, assault on the senses that’s both overwhelming and irresistible.
The guitars, helmed by Kris Morash and Jason Balthazar Eldridge, create a wall of noise and dissonance that hits you like a sledgehammer. It’s not just about speed or heaviness; there’s a real hardcore edge here, a gritty, almost tangible sense of urgency that permeates every riff and breakdown. The band brings together a level of noise that is both abrasive and strangely rhythmic, giving the track a groove that makes you want to move—even if that movement is headbanging until your neck is sore.
Jesse Fuentes on drums is a force of nature, driving the song with relentless blast beats and fills that seem almost inhuman in their precision. The drums are the backbone of this track, holding everything together as the guitars and bass go off like a pair of synchronized explosions. The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for the chaos, grounding the song in a way that allows it to spiral into pure grindcore madness without losing its focus.
Vocally, Katerina Economou delivers a performance that’s nothing short of incendiary. Her screams are raw, visceral, and unapologetically aggressive, cutting through the mix with a ferocity that perfectly matches the band’s instrumental intensity. The lyrics, though often buried under layers of distortion, carry a message of defiance and resistance, adding another layer of depth to the track. There’s a confrontational edge to her delivery that feels both personal and universal, making “Always Watching You” as much a statement as it is a song.
But what truly sets Escuela Grind apart is their ability to merge the dissonance and noise of hardcore with the rhythmic grooves of grindcore, creating a sound that’s both brutal and infectious. It’s a delicate balance, and one that they pull off with impressive skill, delivering a track that is as groovy as it is punishing.
For those who crave the intensity of grindcore with a side of head-bobbing groove, “Always Watching You” is a must-listen. It’s a track that captures the raw power of the genre while pushing it into new, uncharted territories, proving that Escuela Grind is a band that’s not just following trends—they’re setting them.
Band Members:
- Katerina Economou (Vocals, 2019-present) – Katerina’s vocal style is a blend of raw emotion and unbridled aggression, bringing a unique intensity to Escuela Grind’s sound.
- Jesse Fuentes (Drums, 2019-present) – Jesse’s drumming is the pulse of the band, delivering relentless blast beats and intricate fills that drive the chaotic energy of their music.
- Kris Morash (Bass, Guitars, 2019-present) – Kris handles both bass and guitar duties, creating a wall of noise that’s both heavy and dynamic, perfectly complementing the band’s aggressive style.
- Jason Balthazar Eldridge (Guitars, 2019-present) – Jason’s guitar work adds layers of dissonance and groove, pushing the boundaries of what grindcore can be with his innovative riffs and techniques.
Bringing it All Together:
Escuela Grind was formed in 2019 (after forming as Esquala in 2016), born out of a shared love for the intensity and aggression of grindcore, mixed with the dissonance and groove of hardcore. The members, each bringing their unique talents and experiences to the table, have created a sound that is both innovative and true to the roots of extreme music. Their chemistry is evident in every track, with each member pushing the others to new heights of creativity and intensity. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with, and “Always Watching You” is just the latest example of their ability to push the boundaries of heavy music with that strange twerky grind.
Lyrics
Prowling around as you go through your day
Learning the moves that you make
Inching closer as I make you my prey
Letting you know that-
I’m always watching
Never expecting that someone like me
Innocent, charming, and sweet
Could do something so debased and depraved
How could it be that-
I’m always watching
Truth of the matter is that nowadays
Everyone’s easy to trace
Stalking you through all the likes and the praise
Put it out there and-
I’m always watching
Schedule the targets you see in your feed
It all plays out on your screen
Always stare longer if you feel envy
Controlling your thoughts like-
I’m always watching
Thumb scroll
Death toll
Downed whole
Through the windows-
Encasing insecurity
Your finger lingers
Reality splinters
As you drift off subconsciously
Innermost crutch…
And at the end of your day, I settle in place
At the cusp of your dreams, you’re so easy to chase…
In the night I watch you in your house
Through cold and storm and black
Anonymous, ambiguous, abstract
A rubric for attack
As laid out by blue light and guided
In the night I watch you in your house
Your sigh’s my light
All I’ve learned by always watching…
The bigger they are, the harder they fall!
All I’ve gleaned by always watching…
The bigger they are, the harder they fall!
Used against you, mine forever,
Always watching you
Always watching you! Ah!
Always watching you!
Always watching you!
Down to sleep
Your soul to keep
I’ll never leave, just know…
I’m always watching you 
Vicious Shred 
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