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NAPALM DEATH BAND PAGE
 NAPALM DEATH
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CURRENT NAME
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Napalm Death | |
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FORMER NAMES
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Civil Defense | |
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ORIGIN
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Birmingham, England, United Kingdom | |
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STATUS
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Active | |
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FORMED IN
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1982 | |
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LABEL
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Century Media | |
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GENRE
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Death metal; Grindcore | |
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STYLE
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- | |
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LYRICAL THEME
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- | |
| BAND ADDED | 2005-04-30, 00:00 | |
| LAST UPDATE | 2009-06-26, 16:44 | |
Biography | Band members | Discography | Shows | Videos | Forum
| Band biography |
In the punk days of Napalm Death they recorded a few demos and participated on the compilation disc "Bullshit Detector#3" which was released on Crass Records. Then guitarist Justin Broadrick joined the band and brought with him a load of metal riffs, which later resulted in the legendary demo "Hatred Surge". From now on they developed step by step into the most extreme and most famous grindcore act ever. Their debut album "Scum" sold more than 90 000 copies in England only.
The line up for side one of their 'Scum' debut in 1986 was: Mick Harris (drums), Justin Broadrick (guitar), Nik Bullen (bass/vocals). The bands line-up changed once again for side two of 'Scum', with Broadrick departing for “Head of David” and later “Godflesh”, to be replaced by Bill Steer, Bullen was replaced by Jim Whiteley, and one Lee Dorrian took over vocal (vomiting) duties.
Finally released in 1987, 'Scum' did phenomally well for all its anti-commercial ferocity, and the band set out on their first tour. However, before the tour even began, there was another line up change, with Shane Embury replacing Jim Whiteley on bass. This more concrete line up went on to record a string of uncompromising releases: two John Peel Radio sessions, A couple tracks on the 'North Atlantic Noise Attack' and 'Pathological' compilations, and an infamous Napalm Death/SOB split flexi. That saw them through to August 1989, establishing themselves as the foremost grindcore act. But, no one could have predicted the mind shattering 'From Enslavement to Obliteration' LP, featuring 22 tracks along with the five song 7”, “The Curse”. The songs often lasted no more than a matter of seconds and completely turned the musical rulebook on its head. The Napalm Death steamroller gathered momentum, and a six track 12" 'Mentally Murdered' gained the band further acclaim and notoriety.
In July '89 they embarked on a highly successful Japanese tour, but the escalating recognition could not prevent another split upon their return, as Dorrian and Steer decided they'd had enough. Both found success with new projects, Cathedral and Carcass respectively, whilst instant replacements were drafted, Mark 'Barney' Greenway (ex-Benediction) coming in on vocals, and Jesse Pintado from American grinders Terrorizer, took over on guitar.
The band immediately toured the UK as part of the “Grindcrusher” tour. Alongside Bolt Thrower, Carcass and Morbid Angel, and then flew out for their first American show in New York. Into the early Nineties all efforts were directed at recording the new LP, and a second guitarist was drafted in the shape of Mitch Harris (ex-Righteous Pigs). This unit recorded “Harmony Corruption” at Morrisound in Florida. Another 12", “Suffer the Children” displayed the bands change into a more Death Metal style. Although the album proved to be their most successful to date, the band felt that the production on “Harmony Corruption” was a little too clinical. Finding themselves in between tours, the band went into a tiny studio in Birmingham and recorded four new tracks for the “Mass Appeal Madness” EP, which possessed a thick wall of rawness and the heaviest all round sound yet.
Napalm Death had toured massively worldwide by mid-'92. It was at this point Mick Harris wanted to change the overall sound of Napalm Death. He wanted to slow it down; the band had no interest in that. Deciding to leave, Harris founded the successful ambient dub outfit Scorn. Whilst his vacant spot was filled by Jesse Pintado’s American friend, Danny Herrera, whose first live gig was in front of 3000 fans in Germany. An extensive US jaunt with Sepultura, Sacred Reich and Sick of It All followed, together with a short trip to Russia, playing to a combined audience of 14000 over two shows.
Back in the studio, the band unleashed “Utopia Banished”, the fourth full length LP that was full of breakneck speed, and was a reminder of the old days. Another 12" was recorded, this time the three track “The World Keeps Turning”. The band toured Europe, the States, Holland, and then ventured to South Africa in 1993. A compilation, “Death By Manipulation” was also issued, featuring the best of Napalm Death to date.
Returning from the highly charged atmosphere of South Africa, Napalm recorded a cover of the Dead Kennedy's “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” as a 7”, with all proceeds going to Anti-Nazi organizations. To this date it has sold over 10,000 copies. More dates took place in Canada, before it was time once again to return to the studio.
Originally called “Under Rule”, the result of all the hard work became “Fear Emptiness Despair”, a fitting title for an album of such brooding intensity. “Diatribes” followed and was released in January '96. Napalm Death bluntly accepted the challenge laid down by the new breed of Nineties metal acts. Bassist Shane Embury, speaking at the time, was typically enthusiastic about the record's prospects: "We've been taking influences from everywhere, and using them to get a more mature sound," he relates. "It's interesting to see what gets people moving in the clubs and at gigs, and we've noticed that what gets them going is songs with a good structure, something they can dance to - although we're not about to write any pop songs. It's just that we're into what bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction do with their songs, and we draw on that and just make it a lot heavier."
With Napalm Death's “Diatribes”, the band’s maturity had developed into a tightly focused idea of what the band can achieve. Lengthy touring of Europe, America, Australia and Japan ensued, but band tensions seemed to be running high. These fears were recognized in November '96, when the band revealed that they had replaced long-term vocalist “Barney” Greenway with Phil Vane from Extreme Noise Terror. A split EP with Coalesce emerged in January 1997, seemingly marked the end of Barney's career in the band, but the partnership with Vane was short lived as during the “Inside the Torn Apart” recording sessions Barney was re-instated.
Re-energized the band attacked the recording of the new album with new verve, completing sixteen crushing songs in double quick time. “Inside the Torn Apart” was released along side a six song EP entitled “Breed to Breath”. With the turmoil within the band out in the open, each individual member seemed determined to let the music do the talking. From the opening of “Breed to Breathe” to the end of “Lifeless Alarm”, the album sees Napalm Death firmly looking to the future, and finally laying to rest tired accusations that they had seen better days.
1998 saw the bands last two releases on Earache Records. “Bootlegged in Japan”, a live recording from a show by a fan, and later sold as a bootleg copy. The band picked up on this bootleg recording, as did Earache Records. The recording sounded great, and gave the feeling of how a live Napalm Death show feels and sounds. So the label released it as one of it’s own. Then came “Words From the Exit Wound”. The final studio album with Earache Records. The band wasn’t happy at all with how the label advertised its release. W.F.T.E.W. was another monstrous LP, and perfected the Napalm Death sound. It’s probably the best-produced album of Napalm Death’s on Earache Records. But because of the poor record sales, and lack of advertising Napalm Death had finally hit the wall with Earache, and decided to carry on without the label they helped create.
In late 1999, Napalm Death released a six song EP of cover songs through new label Dream Catcher Records. Even though these songs weren’t the bands own, they brought new life to the band, which people had almost given up on. “Leaders Not Followers” was the name of the short EP, which saw the band cover some of their favorite bands from yesteryear. Bands that were covered were: Repulsion, Death, Raw Power, Slaughter, Pentagram, and the Dead Kennedy’s “Nazi Punks Fuck off” was rerecorded by the band.
“Enemy of the Music Business” was Napalm Death’s next release on Dream Catcher in 2001. Back with the original Logo, this album is fierce, and angry. Something which the band seemed to have lost. With this release it positioned the band back on top. It destroys most of what is released today, and proves to everyone that Napalm Death is still an entity to be reckoned with. Some people consider the band is going back to their roots. That is partly true. E.O.T.M.B. defiantly has the speed that the band has lost since the early nineties, but it’s more than that. The band has combined everything they have learnt, and been through throughout their entire career, and the result is one hell of a powerful album. It also shows that they haven’t lost one step, and are releasing some of their best material to date.
Right before the release of their latest album “Order of the Leech”, the band put together a DVD named “Punishment in Capitals”. Recorded in late 2001, “Punishment in Capitals” offers an hour and a half concert, along with an hour long documentary of the band, and some footage from concerts years ago in Tokyo Japan (1996), and Santiago Chile (1997). A hidden extra also appears, with Mick Harris behind the kit, as the band plays “If the Truth Be Known”. The band put this DVD release together themselves. The main ULU concert was a benefit concert to raise money for animal cruelty. Unlike the DVD that Earache put together, which the band had nothing to do with. “Punishment in Capitals” is a wicked DVD, and much better than Earache’s “Napalm Death: The DVD”. Which is a re-release of their 1991 “Live Corruption”, along with the bands music videos.
“Order of the Leech” (2002) was released through the bands new Record Label called FETO Records. O.O.T.L. continues on where “Enemy of the Music Business” left off, but also carries the band further. Another strong recording by the band that has been to hell and back.
2003 actually saw Napalm Death working with Earache Records again. The label wanted to release a compilation of Napalm Death’s best material from their days on Earache. So instead of the release being done half assed, Shane Embury and Barney Greenway helped package the two CD release. They contributed information, and a couple interviews for the booklet. They were both responsible for the selection of songs as well. The release is known as “Noise for Music’s Sake”.
Expect in the near future another “Leaders not Followers” recording. Napalm Death has covered more bands, and the release will be a full LP. This time around you will hear Napalm Death cover: Cryptic Slaughter, Offenders, Devastation, Attitude Adjustment, Agnostic Front, Wehrmacht, Anti Cimex, Sepultura, Insanity, Hirax, Dayglo Abortions, Hellhammer, Kreator, Discharge, Siege, Massacre, Master, and Die Kreuzen.
Keep your minds open, and watch out for more killer music from the mighty Napalm Death. There is more to be heard.
-Chris “Diatribe” Rohde
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| Buy Napalm Death albums |
| Official releases Add | ||
10 / 10 Read our review here | ||
9 / 10 Read our review here | ||
10 / 10 Read our review here | ||
9 / 10 Read our review here | ||
8.5 / 10 Read our review here | ||
| Videos |
NAPALM DEATH - Time Waits For No Slave
Song: Time Waits For No Slave
| Tour dates / gigs |
