The Oakland, California-based grindcore outfit Benumb emerged during the mid-1990s with a flurry of releases, the majority of them split singles and EPs recorded in conjunction with acts including Apartment 213, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Supression and Short Hate Temper. Upon signing to the Relapse label, Benumb issued the Gear in the Machine EP in 1997; the full-length Soul of the Martyr followed a year later. Withering Stands of Hope came in 2000. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide