tangento's Full Review: Words From the Exit Wound by Napalm Death
First, let's get a few things out of the way:
a. one's very first glimpse into this album's Cover Art will instantly apprise as to whether or not one is qualified to listen to it
b. no song-by-song review is necessary here; this is not Mr. Bungle
c. nobody's Grandmother will ever survive this album, nor should they be forced to attempt it; KIDS, LEAVE POOR GRANDMA OUT OF THIS!
d. I will use the term 'Grindcore' often - and in any context or implied definition as I please, throughout this review (you can't stop me)
e. Vocalist Barney Greenway does NOT gargle with Dran-o
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Now that we have taken care of the preliminaries, let us examine this molten slab of GRINDCORE Majesty. From the '5 years later' perspective, this album represents a significant turning point for Napalm Death, who are often credited with spearheading the 'Grindcore' subsection of Extreme Crossover Metal/ Hardcore Music, back in the mid to late 80's.
It is from this album onward that ND have simultaneously re-discovered their abrasive roots while hurtling madly forward, effectively obliterating the boundaries of what could be accomplished within this crushing genre. Up until this album, Napalm's overall sound began to blur and splinter off into a somewhat less intense 'Death Metal' realm - especially with the two previous releases, Diatribes and Inside the Torn Apart. These 2 albums were certainly above-average material for their times, however the focus seemed to be dissipating a bit.
Enter Words From the Exit Wound :
Back in 1998, upon hearing the introductory notes of this album's brutally declarative opener - The Infiltraitor, I remember thinking to myself; "now THIS is what Napalm Death should be doing !!" This song has since become a personal anthem; it sternly tears out the apprehension and complacency and forces the adrenaline to flow freely from the very pores; it invites provocation, and besets unmitigated musical intensity upon the listener...
and then, the hallowed 'Blast-Beats' begin!
Oh, the bliss... this is the vintage Napalm Death brutality; except now the songs have grown significantly in length - from the 6 to 160 second blasts of the 1987 debut album Scum, into raging 4 to 6 minute endurance tests. UP the body count and weed out the weak, Napalm Death were back! The band have since continued this forward-moving yet roots-recognizing trend into the present days of that next millennium. (see: Enemy of the Music Business and Order of the Leech so far, not to mention the implausibly perfect 2002 Punishment in Capitals Live DVD)
The rest of this album continues along in the same manner as 'Infiltraitor', melding all of the best elements of Thrash, Hardcore, and even Punk and Progressive Rock music into a blistering, inhumane collection of tight, shifting rhythms, precision multi-layered riffing, and generally relentless, raging sonic sure-handedness. Granted, even the seasoned metalhead may have trouble making it through the entire album in one sitting, yet that same person will find themselves constantly going back for more once each track has been fully and properly absorbed.
The marked difference between Napalm Death and their hundreds of inferiors is their ability to incorporate memorable melodic patterns and harmonic overtones into this dense rhythmic battery. (are you HEARING me, Meshugga? Sometimes, math is not enough!) One listen to the searing intro of Clutching At Barbs or the seething, twisted bodies of Next of Kin to Chaos and Affixed By Disconcern will clearly illustrate my meaning on this point.
Personnel:
The ND lineup which produced this album has become one of the most consistent and enduring in all of rock music:
~Bringing The Goods: Since 1992~
Vocalist/ Throat Terrorizer - Mark 'Barney' Greenway (Grind's most 'entertaining' 'showman')
Guitarists - Jesse Pintado and Mitch Harris (one of the most under-appreciated and highly talented tandems in all of 'metal')
Bassist - Shane Embury (The Mighty Backbone Epitome and Resident ND Behemoth)
Drummer - Danny Herrera (arguably one of the finest drummers in the genre... again, sorely under-recognized)
Regarding the vocal work of Greenway: (and others like him)
Many potential listeners are initially put off by the vocals of ND and other similar bands. In my opinion, it is all simply a matter of perspective. It seems to help if one approaches the vocals in such music not so much as a melodic accompaniment, but as simply another harsh-timbred instrument; adding a more rhythmic embellishment to the overall sound. (a hearty nod is in order here, to the inhuman and indispensable supplemental shrieking talents of Guitarist Harris) Enjoy the energy and aggression of these voices, and abandon all hope expecting them to break into an aria at any given moment.
(This is also not Dream Theater, thank you very much)
Finally, a Rant:
This album and this band single-handedly ANNIHILATE and CRUSH all so-called Nu-Metal, rendering it utterly laughable and altogether OBSOLETE. For all Ye who fancy themselves 'Extreme' ...listen Here and Thy Shall Be Schooled.
Now, I rest my case. Now go buy and absorb, if you think you've got the guts.
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