Where do I begin with a band like Napalm Death, a name so revered the mere mention of the name gets grindcore fans excited. Well this is no exception, “Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism” is one nasty razor edged bastard! The cover of the album literally depicts a bird being choked, I mean come on, did you really expect anything less? I think not…
Kicking off proceedings with “Fuck The Factoid” and this my friends, is everything that you have come to expect of Napalm – snarling vocals, chaotic guitars, blast beats – the absolute works. Barney [Greenway, vocalist] has not lost any of his sting and Shane Embury (bassist), take a bow sir, this is an absolute master class.
For me my favourite track on the album would have to be “Invigorating Clutch” with it’s slow foreboding leading up and this downtuned nastiness that is unmistakable, it will be on high rotation believe me. In my humble opinion album closer “Bellyful Of Salt And Spleen” is reminiscent of what I imagine an industrial apocalypse to sound like.
It said in the press release with this album that they have taken elements from obvious sources punk / grind /hardcore and amalgamated them but also from lesser known influences like the bands Swans and Coil, both I recommend highly if you haven’t already, both being out of left field.
It is mind blowing to think that this is the sixteenth album to date and it still sounds so fresh and vital, just the shot in the arm that the heavy grind scene was looking for. This album is a grower and will take a few spins but if you are a long time fan you won’t be disappointed, long live the kings of grind! Grab this beast today.
8/10
TRACKLIST
Fuck the Factoid
Backlash Just Because
That Curse of Being in Thrall
Contagion
Joie De Ne Pas Vivre
Invigorating Clutch
Zero Gravitas Chamber
Fluxing of the Muscle
Amoral
Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism
Acting in Gouged Faith
A Bellyful of Salt and Spleen
