(March 2024) Episode 554 is NAPALM DEATH, pioneers of the “grindcore” subgenre, a mix of hardcore punk and extreme metal. But to my unsophisticated ear, this is indistinguishable from death metal, with the cookie monster growl and thunder kicks. Detectable punk elements include their anarcho-political lyrics (they cover “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” in fine form) and brevity of song: the Guinness Book of World Records awards Napalm Death for having the shortest song ever recorded, “You Suffer,” which clocks in at a little more than a second. They went through several lineup changes, and the early few albums are mixed rawer than what came later. But the pace and fury is consistent from their notable first (1987) to the latest (2020). As I’ve said before, I’m attracted to music at the extremes, and Napalm Death certainly offers that.
Favourite album: Order of the Leech
Favourite song: Cesspits
Compared to expectations: ↑
Recommendation: Do it. Even if you know you’ll hate it, put it on and force yourself to experience it.
Opus Project 