NAPALM DEATH
Smear Campaign
Century Media
· Grindcore grandpas.
Grindcore grandfathers Napalm Death have obviously never been strangers to the idea of "obliterating heaviness." Having started the scene, they set the pace some two decades ago. And then promptly lost steam as a succession of uninspired albums regurgitated the same old, same old, proving their inability to progress. We wrote them off as innovators, lovingly placing them on the mantle beside the other "classic" inventors. And then holy fuckin’ bam! Right between the eyes!
While it may seem impossible that these British grunters could have stepped over the power, ferocity and intelligence of previous effort The Code is Red… Long Live the Code, singer Barney Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, drummer Danny Herrera and guitarist Mitch Harris have even managed to blow their own career high out of the water with Smear Campaign. Kicking in with moodily eerie and slightly gothic instrumental "Weltschmerz," the album relentlessly blasts forth with 15 more bombastic rages that feel as though they were spit forth from the bowels of hell.
Clearly inspired, obviously enraged and full of vitriol matched with intellect, tracks like "When All is Said and Done," "Fatalist" and "Eyes Right Out" not only send out searing doses of pointed anger, but match the intensity of Greenway’s vocals with a continual stream of fresh ideas that refuse to stagnate. Who would have thought that after this many years, the grindcore movement could actually be propelled to new heights? It’s thrilling to feel the danger, freshness and excitement for a change.
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