Napalm Death
Encyclopedia
Napalm Death are a death metal
band formed in Birmingham
, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury
, guitarist Mitch Harris
and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's career.
Napalm Death are credited with defining the grindcore genre by incorporating elements of hardcore punk
and death metal
, short songs, fast tempos, deep guttural vocals
and sociopolitical lyrics. The band's debut album Scum, released in 1987 by Earache Records
, proved substantially influential throughout the global metal community.
Napalm Death have released fourteen studio albums and are listed by Nielsen SoundScan
as the seventh best-selling death metal band in the United States.
near Birmingham
, in the United Kingdom
, in May 1981 by Nic Bullen
and Miles Ratledge
while the duo were still in their early teenage years. The duo had been playing in amateur bands since 1980 as an extension of their fanzine writing, and went through a number of names (including "Civil Defence", "The Mess", "Evasion" and "Undead Hatred") before choosing Napalm Death in mid 1981.
The band were initially inspired by the early wave of punk bands, particularly the anarcho-punk
movement (a sub-genre of punk
music focused on anarchist politics), and associated groups such as Crass
.
The first stable line-up of the group consisted of Nicholas Bullen on vocals and bass, Simon Oppenheimer on guitar, and Miles Ratledge on drums, and lasted from December 1981 to January 1982. Graham Robertson joined on bass in January 1982. Simon Oppenheimer left the group in August 1982 and was replaced by Darryl Fedeski who left the group in October 1982: at this point, Graham Robertson began to play guitar and Finbarr Quinn (ex-Curfew) joined on bass and backing vocals.
The group played concerts throughout 1982 (playing their first concert on July 25, 1982 at Atherstone Miners Club) and 1983 (sharing billing with anarcho-punk groups such as Amebix
, The Apostles
and Antisect
), and made 4 demo recordings in 1982 and 1983, one of which contributed their first released recording to the Bullshit Detector Volume 3 compilation released by Crass Records
in 1984.
The band entered a period of hiatus from the end of 1983 onwards, playing only one concert in 1984 (a benefit for striking mine workers) with additional vocalist Marian Williams (ex-Relevant POS, and sister of the drummer of the group Human Cabbages from Coventry, UK). During this period, Nic Bullen met Justin Broadrick
, a guitarist from Birmingham with whom he shared an interest in the music of bands such as Killing Joke
, Throbbing Gristle
, Crass, Amebix, Swans
, and the developing power electronics scene. Bullen joined Broadrick's Final
project for a period in 1983.
In July 1985, Napalm Death briefly reformed in order to appear at a concert at the Mermaid in Birmingham which was also notable as the last concert by Final. The group consisted of a 4-piece line-up of Miles Ratledge - drums, Bullen - vocals, bass and guitar, Graham Robertson - guitar and bass, and Damien Errington - guitar.
After this concert, Miles Ratledge and Bullen asked Broadrick to join Napalm Death as guitarist, with Bullen as vocalist and bass player. The band began to develop a musical style which blended elements of post-punk
(particularly Killing Joke and Amebix), heavy punk in the vein of Discharge
, and thrash metal
(with particular reference to Possessed
and Celtic Frost
).
The group played their first concert as a trio on 31 August 1985 (playing 2 concerts on the same day: Telford with Chumbawamba
and Blyth Power
, and Birmingham with We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It
), and began to play regularly in the Birmingham area (particularly at The Mermaid public house in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham) with a wide range of musicians including Icons of Filth
, Concrete Sox
, The Varukers
, Decadence Within, and The Groundhogs
.
In September 1985, Peter Shaw (ex-Autism) joined on bass. The 4-piece line-up recorded Hatred Surge (the band's 5th demo recording) on 23 October 1985 which the band made available at their concerts and by mail.
Following the recording of the demo, Bullen and Broadrick wished to extend their exploration of a more extreme musical style which created a split in the group with Ratledge: as a result, the group splintered and Mick Harris
(a local fan) was asked to join as drummer in December 1985.
The trio - Bullen on vocals and bass, Broadrick on guitar and Harris on drums - made their first performance on 15 December 1985 and went on to play many concerts in 1986, predominantly in the Birmingham area, with musicians such as Amebix, Antisect, Chaos UK, Varukers, Disorder and Dirge.
The group recorded a 6th demo, From Enslavement to Obliteration, on 15 March 1986, which the group made available at their concerts and through mail, before making a 7th recording later that year, Scum, which was provisionally intended to form part of a split LP with the English hardcore band Atavistic on Manic Ears records. This recording later became the first side of the band's debut album Scum in 1987.
The band then faced a number of line-up changes. Nic Bullen was becoming frustrated with the musical direction of the group, and began to lose interest as a whole: as a result, Jim Whiteley was asked to join as bass player. The band played a number of concerts as a four-piece before Justin Broadrick left the group to play the drums for local band Head of David
. The group attempted to find a new guitarist by asking Shane Embury
(ex-Unseen Terror and a fan of the group) to join and giving a trial period to Frank Healy
(ex-Annihilator, later of Cerebral Fix
and Sacrilege
). After Broadrick's departure, Nic Bullen's dissatisfaction with the musical direction of the group led him to leave the group in December 1986 (in order to focus on his studies in English Literature and Philosophy at university).
, the band had to look for new members. Guitarist Bill Steer
played in a band based in Liverpool, called Carcass
and given the affinity between the bands, he joined Napalm Death while still playing an active role in Carcass. The band asked a friend (Lee Dorrian
) to join as vocalist due to his good relationship with the band (he had organised a number of concerts for the band), even though he had never been in a band before. This line-up recorded the B side of the Scum LP at Rich Bitch studios in May 1987, and the album was released through Earache Records.
The band promptly lost another member just before they undertook a short tour after the release of Scum. Jim Whiteley left the group (to join Ripcord) and Shane Embury
(former drummer of Unseen Terror
) moved to bass.
The band then appeared on two compilation records ('North Atlantic Noise Attack' and the 'Pathological Compilation'), recorded two Peel
sessions and a split 7" with Japan
ese band S.O.B.
They also returned to Rich Bitch studio once more and recorded their second album: From Enslavement to Obliteration
.
A follow-up release to "Enslavement..." came in the form of the six song 12" EP "Mentally Murdered
", which was to be the last recording with the Harris/Steer/Dorian/Embury line-up. This EP was recorded at the Slaughterhouse Studios and took on a slightly different sound, blending grindcore
with death metal
. Following the release, Napalm Death were featured on national television in the United Kingdom in a heavy metal special by Arena (BBC 2).
The band continued to tour, but as soon as they came back home from Japan
, in July 1989, Steer and Dorrian left the band: Steer decided to dedicate himself full-time to Carcass, while Dorrian formed the doom metal
group Cathedral
. The group recruited Jesse Pintado
(ex-Terrorizer
) on guitar and Mark "Barney" Greenway (ex-Benediction
) as vocalist. This line-up took part in the Grindcrusher tour organised by Earache Records and featuring fellow label-mates Carcass, Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel
. The group recruited Mitch Harris
(ex-Righteous Pigs) as second guitarist after the tour.
. While writing Harmony Corruption they changed their style a little, from grindcore, to a mix of blast beat
s and some slower, more rhythmic parts. In addition, death metal was a major influence on Harmony Corruption, more so than their previous records. After releasing the new record, they went on touring around the world and from the material filmed at those concerts they released a home-video, Live Corruption
. Directed by noted metal director Steve Payne.
The band caught considerable flack from longtime fans in respect to the "death metal" sound and production of Harmony Corruption. Smarting from the accusations of selling-out by the British underground "elites", Napalm entered Eddie Van Dale's Violent Noise Experience Club in March of '91 to record six new tracks. These new songs, the "Mass Appeal Madness
" 12" LP, had a much more raw grind quality to them, finding instant favour with fans. This recording, along with the "Mentally Murdered
" 12", the spit 7" with S.O.B. and live tracks from Live Corruption, found a home on the Death by Manipulation
CD.
Drummer Mick Harris - the only remaining member of the line-up that had played on the band's first album, Scum - eventually left Napalm Death because of conflicts regarding their musical style. Danny Herrera, a close friend to Jesse Pintado, was brought in to replace Mick. The addition of Herrera would be the last major line-up change of the band, save for Jesse Pintado's future absence, which has yet to be filled (and vocalist Phil Vane never recorded with the band). Napalm Death released a new record, Utopia Banished
. Now working with producer Colin Richardson
. This release was a kind of "return to the roots" - grindcore. After recording The World Keeps Turning
EP, the band toured Europe with Dismember
and Obituary
on the "Campaign for Musical Destruction" tour. They then toured the US with Sepultura
, Sacred Reich
and Sick Of It All
. The proceeds of Napalm Death's 1993 EP Nazi Punks Fuck Off were donated to anti-fascist organisations.
The band remixed the track "Mind Of A Razor" by London based hip hop
crew Gunshot
. The remixed version of the track appeared on the EP
of the same name in 1992. Thereafter, they went to the studio and recorded Fear, Emptiness, Despair
. Although it was still as heavy and aggressive as previous releases, the new record took a different direction and sounded more experimental; they added more rhythmic riffs, an industrial-like structure, and then added grindcore blast beats. Live concerts with Entombed
, Obituary and Machine Head
showed the audience how violent and aggressive the new Napalm Death sound was. They continued with the experimentation through the rest of the 1990s.
EP was the next release from the band, through Earache. After the preview with the EP, Diatribes
, a full-length album was released. Although things seemed to be going smoothly from outside, they were going through problems. Misunderstanding rose between the members and singer Greenway was expelled from the band in late/mid 1996. Greenway went to record with Extreme Noise Terror
(the ENT release Damage 381 features Barney on lead vocals) and ENT's main singer Phil Vane went to fill vocals slot in Napalm Death. Things did not go as well as they were supposed to, and Vane was kicked out of the band just before they got into the studio to record the new album. And so Greenway returned to Napalm Death.
The next albums Inside the Torn Apart
and Words from the Exit Wound
continued with the experimentation but displayed more signs of grindcore, notably faster tempos than the last two albums. This return was completed with the release of Enemy of the Music Business
. It shows their anger with the music industry and especially with Earache. Order of the Leech
continued where their previous album ended and can be seen as even more faster and aggressive.
In 2004, they recorded a covers album called Leaders Not Followers: Part 2
, the sequel to their earlier covers EP. It contains covers of old hardcore punk
and heavy metal
bands, including Cryptic Slaughter
, Massacre, Kreator
, Sepultura
, Siege
and Discharge
. Due to personal problems, Jesse Pintado
did not play on either Order of the Leech or Leaders Not Followers: Part 2, and left the band in early 2004. Nevertheless Pintado stated that he left because he grew tired of Napalm Death and wanted to start something new. The two guitars that you hear is Mitch over-dubbing.
In April 2005, their next album The Code Is Red...Long Live the Code
was released. It features guest appearances from Jeffrey Walker
(formerly of Carcass
), Jamey Jasta
(Hatebreed
vocalist) and Jello Biafra
(formerly of Dead Kennedys
, and Lard
among many other bands). The album continued the band's progressive approach to their brutal brand of extreme metal, with their trademark grindcore sound retained.
Napalm Death finished recording their follow-up album titled Smear Campaign
in June 2006; released on September 15, 2006 to very strong reviews from fans and critics alike. The main lyrical focus is criticism of the United States Government and other governments who are strongly religious. The album features a guest appearance by Anneke van Giersbergen
, vocalist for the Dutch
rock band The Gathering
. There is a limited edition digipak
version of Smear Campaign, which has two new songs, "Call That an Option?" and "Atheist Runt".
In early 2006 Napalm Death headlined a tour with Kreator
, A Perfect Murder
, and Undying. On August 27, 2006, Jesse Pintado
died in a hospital in the Netherlands
due to liver failure
, prompting Mitch Harris to express his sadness at the loss of someone he thought of as "a brother" on the band's official website. After the Smear Campaign tour, the band did a 2007 "World Domination Tour". Bassist Shane Embury
is currently working on a project with Mick Kenney
of Anaal Nathrakh
, their work together will be released on FETO Records
at the end of 2007.
In November 2008, Napalm Death's fourteenth studio album, entitled Time Waits For No Slave
, leaked onto the internet; it was officially released on January 23, 2009. Similar to Smear Campaign, Time Waits For No Slave also had a digipak version containing two extra songs ("Suppressed Hunger" and "Omnipresent Knife In Your Back").
In February 2011, Napalm Death appeared in an episode of Channel 4's "Skins". Napalm Death entered Parlour Studio in Kettering, U.K with producer Russ Russell
to begin working on a new album. Also in 2011, they recorded the single "Legacy Was Yesterday". Napalm Death are putting the finishing touches on Utilitarian, their 15th studio album, and will be released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 2012 in North America via Century Media.
Bass guitar
Guitar
Drums
, Godflesh
, Cathedral
, Scorn
, Jesu
, and Black Galaxy. Additionally, band members have formed numerous side projects, including Lull, Painkiller
, Brujeria
, Lock Up
, Meathook Seed
, Defecation
, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine
, and Venomous Concept
.
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band formed in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury
Shane Embury
Shane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
, guitarist Mitch Harris
Mitch Harris
Mitch Harris is an American guitarist, born in New York then moving to Las Vegas, currently living in Birmingham, England. He started his career in the Grindcore band Righteous Pigs. He did a side project with Mick Harris - then the drummer of grindcore band Napalm Death, called Defecation...
and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's career.
Napalm Death are credited with defining the grindcore genre by incorporating elements of hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
, short songs, fast tempos, deep guttural vocals
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
and sociopolitical lyrics. The band's debut album Scum, released in 1987 by Earache Records
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...
, proved substantially influential throughout the global metal community.
Napalm Death have released fourteen studio albums and are listed by Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
as the seventh best-selling death metal band in the United States.
Early history 1981–1986
Napalm Death were formed in the village of MeridenMeriden, West Midlands
-External links:*****...
near Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, in May 1981 by Nic Bullen
Nicholas Bullen
-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
and Miles Ratledge
Miles Ratledge
Miles Ratledge is a founding member of the band Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the grindcore genre which blended elements of extreme metal and punk rock.-Biography:...
while the duo were still in their early teenage years. The duo had been playing in amateur bands since 1980 as an extension of their fanzine writing, and went through a number of names (including "Civil Defence", "The Mess", "Evasion" and "Undead Hatred") before choosing Napalm Death in mid 1981.
The band were initially inspired by the early wave of punk bands, particularly the anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk is punk rock that promotes anarchism. The term anarcho-punk is sometimes applied exclusively to bands that were part of the original anarcho-punk movement in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
movement (a sub-genre of punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
music focused on anarchist politics), and associated groups such as Crass
Crass
Crass are an English punk rock band that was formed in 1977, which promoted anarchism as a political ideology, way of living, and as a resistance movement. Crass popularised the seminal anarcho-punk movement of the punk subculture, and advocated direct action, animal rights, and environmentalism...
.
The first stable line-up of the group consisted of Nicholas Bullen on vocals and bass, Simon Oppenheimer on guitar, and Miles Ratledge on drums, and lasted from December 1981 to January 1982. Graham Robertson joined on bass in January 1982. Simon Oppenheimer left the group in August 1982 and was replaced by Darryl Fedeski who left the group in October 1982: at this point, Graham Robertson began to play guitar and Finbarr Quinn (ex-Curfew) joined on bass and backing vocals.
The group played concerts throughout 1982 (playing their first concert on July 25, 1982 at Atherstone Miners Club) and 1983 (sharing billing with anarcho-punk groups such as Amebix
Amebix
Amebix are an English crust punk/heavy metal band. Formed as "The Band with No Name," Amebix's original run was from 1978 to 1987, during which time they released three EPs and two full-length LPs...
, The Apostles
The Apostles
The Apostles are an experimental punk rock band who developed within the confines of the 1980s Anarcho Punk scene in the UK, but did not necessarily adhere to the aesthetics of that movement.-History:...
and Antisect
Antisect
Antisect are an English anarcho-punk band, formed in 1982 in Daventry, Northamptonshire, UK. Their debut album, In Darkness There is No Choice, was released in 1983...
), and made 4 demo recordings in 1982 and 1983, one of which contributed their first released recording to the Bullshit Detector Volume 3 compilation released by Crass Records
Crass Records
Crass Records is an independent record label which was set up by the anarchist punk band Crass.-Overview and history:Prior to the formation of Crass, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher had published their creative works via their own Dial House based Exitstencil Press...
in 1984.
The band entered a period of hiatus from the end of 1983 onwards, playing only one concert in 1984 (a benefit for striking mine workers) with additional vocalist Marian Williams (ex-Relevant POS, and sister of the drummer of the group Human Cabbages from Coventry, UK). During this period, Nic Bullen met Justin Broadrick
Justin Broadrick
Justin Karl Michael Broadrick is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the band Godflesh, one of the first bands to combine elements of extreme metal and industrial music.-Biography:Broadrick was born in the council estates of inner...
, a guitarist from Birmingham with whom he shared an interest in the music of bands such as Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
, Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle were an English industrial, avant-garde music and visual arts group that evolved from the performance art group COUM Transmissions...
, Crass, Amebix, Swans
Swans (band)
Swans are an influential American post-punk band initially active from 1982 to 1997, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. The band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. Formed by Gira in...
, and the developing power electronics scene. Bullen joined Broadrick's Final
Final (band)
Final is a project of Justin Broadrick, creator of the band Godflesh, which he started when he was just 13 years old. Unlike Godflesh, Final is primarily electronic in nature, taking on a space-like, dark ambient sound....
project for a period in 1983.
In July 1985, Napalm Death briefly reformed in order to appear at a concert at the Mermaid in Birmingham which was also notable as the last concert by Final. The group consisted of a 4-piece line-up of Miles Ratledge - drums, Bullen - vocals, bass and guitar, Graham Robertson - guitar and bass, and Damien Errington - guitar.
After this concert, Miles Ratledge and Bullen asked Broadrick to join Napalm Death as guitarist, with Bullen as vocalist and bass player. The band began to develop a musical style which blended elements of post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
(particularly Killing Joke and Amebix), heavy punk in the vein of Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
, and thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
(with particular reference to Possessed
Possessed (band)
Possessed is an American death metal band, originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they are routinely called the first band in the death metal genre...
and Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
).
The group played their first concert as a trio on 31 August 1985 (playing 2 concerts on the same day: Telford with Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba is a British musical group who have, over a career spanning nearly three decades, played punk rock, pop-influenced music, world music, and folk music...
and Blyth Power
Blyth Power
Blyth Power are a British rock band formed in 1983 by singer/drummer Joseph Porter, formerly of Zounds and The Mob.Blyth Power's music shows strong influences from punk rock and folk music, and the band members have described their sound as a cross between The Clash, Steeleye Span and The...
, and Birmingham with We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It
We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It
We've Got A Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It were an English alternative rock group. Formed in Birmingham in 1985, the all-female quartet originally consisted of Vix, Maggie Dunne, Jo Dunne and Tina O'Neill. The band's name was shortened to Fuzzbox for the U.S. release of their first album...
), and began to play regularly in the Birmingham area (particularly at The Mermaid public house in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham) with a wide range of musicians including Icons of Filth
Icons of Filth
Icons of Filth were an influential British anarcho-punk band that disbanded in 2004, after the unexpected death of its lead singer Andrew Sewell, or Stiggy Smeg.-Early history:...
, Concrete Sox
Concrete Sox
Concrete Sox are a British crust punk band. They are largely seen as an early crossover thrash band who incorporated many thrash metal-like riffs in the style of their earlier recordings....
, The Varukers
The Varukers
The Varukers are a UK D-beat band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band are one of the first to play in the musical style of the hardcore punk band Discharge, known as D-beat...
, Decadence Within, and The Groundhogs
The Groundhogs
Groundhogs are a British rock band founded in late 1963, that toured extensively in the 1960s, achieved prominence in the early 1970s and continued sporadically into the 21st century.-Career:...
.
In September 1985, Peter Shaw (ex-Autism) joined on bass. The 4-piece line-up recorded Hatred Surge (the band's 5th demo recording) on 23 October 1985 which the band made available at their concerts and by mail.
Following the recording of the demo, Bullen and Broadrick wished to extend their exploration of a more extreme musical style which created a split in the group with Ratledge: as a result, the group splintered and Mick Harris
Mick Harris
Mick Harris commonly known and credited both as Mick Harris or occasionally M.J. Harris, is an English musician....
(a local fan) was asked to join as drummer in December 1985.
The trio - Bullen on vocals and bass, Broadrick on guitar and Harris on drums - made their first performance on 15 December 1985 and went on to play many concerts in 1986, predominantly in the Birmingham area, with musicians such as Amebix, Antisect, Chaos UK, Varukers, Disorder and Dirge.
The group recorded a 6th demo, From Enslavement to Obliteration, on 15 March 1986, which the group made available at their concerts and through mail, before making a 7th recording later that year, Scum, which was provisionally intended to form part of a split LP with the English hardcore band Atavistic on Manic Ears records. This recording later became the first side of the band's debut album Scum in 1987.
Head of David
Head of David was a noise rock/stoner band of the late 1980s that featured vocalist Stephen R. Burroughs and ex-Napalm Death member Justin Broadrick ....
. The group attempted to find a new guitarist by asking Shane Embury
Shane Embury
Shane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
(ex-Unseen Terror and a fan of the group) to join and giving a trial period to Frank Healy
Frank Healy
Frank Healy was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK, he is a former Napalm Death guitarist. Healy also was the bass player for Cerebral Fix. He also played bass in the first live Anaal Nathrakh session for the John Peel show. He is currently the bassist in the band Benediction.-References:...
(ex-Annihilator, later of Cerebral Fix
Cerebral Fix
Cerebral Fix are an English thrash/death metal band formed in Birmingham in 1986. They became members of the UK thrash metal and death metal scenes through four albums, three of which were on major labels before finally disbanding in 1993...
and Sacrilege
Sacrilege
Sacrilege is the violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object. In a less proper sense, any transgression against the virtue of religion would be a sacrilege. It can come in the form of irreverence to sacred persons, places, and things...
). After Broadrick's departure, Nic Bullen's dissatisfaction with the musical direction of the group led him to leave the group in December 1986 (in order to focus on his studies in English Literature and Philosophy at university).
1987–1989
With the departure of Broadrick and BullenNicholas Bullen
-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
, the band had to look for new members. Guitarist Bill Steer
Bill Steer
Bill Steer is an English guitar player, and a founder of British Metal band Carcass...
played in a band based in Liverpool, called Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
and given the affinity between the bands, he joined Napalm Death while still playing an active role in Carcass. The band asked a friend (Lee Dorrian
Lee Dorrian
Lee Dorrian is a singer from Coventry, England. Originally the editor/publisher of the Cov punk fanzine "Committed Suicide" he then went on to be the singer and lyricist with Napalm Death and recorded one and a half albums with them, namely the second half of Scum and From Enslavement to...
) to join as vocalist due to his good relationship with the band (he had organised a number of concerts for the band), even though he had never been in a band before. This line-up recorded the B side of the Scum LP at Rich Bitch studios in May 1987, and the album was released through Earache Records.
The band promptly lost another member just before they undertook a short tour after the release of Scum. Jim Whiteley left the group (to join Ripcord) and Shane Embury
Shane Embury
Shane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
(former drummer of Unseen Terror
Unseen Terror
Unseen Terror was a British extreme metal band formed by Shane Embury and Mitch Dickinson , and played extreme metal with a technical edge. Their most notable feat took place in March 1988, when they recorded tracks for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 program.-History:To set the record straight - The band...
) moved to bass.
The band then appeared on two compilation records ('North Atlantic Noise Attack' and the 'Pathological Compilation'), recorded two Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
sessions and a split 7" with Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese band S.O.B.
S.O.B. (band)
S.O.B., also known as SxOxBx, is an early, seminal hardcore punk and grindcore band from Japan. Their band name is an acronym for S.O.B., also known as SxOxBx, is an early, seminal [[hardcore punk]] and [[grindcore]] band from [[Japan]]...
They also returned to Rich Bitch studio once more and recorded their second album: From Enslavement to Obliteration
From Enslavement to Obliteration
From Enslavement to Obliteration is the second album by grindcore band Napalm Death, released in 1988.-Background:From Enslavement to Obliteration is the only Napalm Death album to feature Lee Dorrian as the sole vocalist, where he offers the low, grunting vocals and from time to time in songs, he...
.
A follow-up release to "Enslavement..." came in the form of the six song 12" EP "Mentally Murdered
Mentally Murdered
Mentally Murdered is an EP by the English band Napalm Death, originally released in 1989. It was later included on the Harmony Corruption CD and the Death by Manipulation compilation album...
", which was to be the last recording with the Harris/Steer/Dorian/Embury line-up. This EP was recorded at the Slaughterhouse Studios and took on a slightly different sound, blending grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
with death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
. Following the release, Napalm Death were featured on national television in the United Kingdom in a heavy metal special by Arena (BBC 2).
The band continued to tour, but as soon as they came back home from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in July 1989, Steer and Dorrian left the band: Steer decided to dedicate himself full-time to Carcass, while Dorrian formed the doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
group Cathedral
Cathedral (band)
Cathedral are a doom metal band from Coventry, England. The group forged a link between early doom metal and a 1990s extreme metal aesthetic, making doom slower and heavier. Their debut album, Forest of Equilibrium, is considered a classic of the genre. They later on changed their doom style,...
. The group recruited Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado was a lead guitar player born in Mexico who at an early age moved to the US. He started in the band Terrorizer where he recorded the grindcore album World Downfall, the first album to feature Pete Sandoval who would later leave the band to join Morbid Angel...
(ex-Terrorizer
Terrorizer
Terrorizer is an American grindcore and death metal band formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. After disbanding, its members gained recognition by playing in influential extreme metal bands, such as Morbid Angel , Napalm Death and Nausea...
) on guitar and Mark "Barney" Greenway (ex-Benediction
Benediction (band)
Benediction is a British death metal band from Birmingham, England. They were formed in February 1989.-Biography:The Birmingham-based death metal band Benediction were formed in February 1989 by Paul Adams , Peter Rew , Darren Brookes , and Mark "Barney" Greenway...
) as vocalist. This line-up took part in the Grindcrusher tour organised by Earache Records and featuring fellow label-mates Carcass, Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida. UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked one Morbid Angel album in its “Top 40 greatest death metal albums”, with their 1989 debut Altars of Madness appearing at number 1...
. The group recruited Mitch Harris
Mitch Harris
Mitch Harris is an American guitarist, born in New York then moving to Las Vegas, currently living in Birmingham, England. He started his career in the Grindcore band Righteous Pigs. He did a side project with Mick Harris - then the drummer of grindcore band Napalm Death, called Defecation...
(ex-Righteous Pigs) as second guitarist after the tour.
1990–1994
In Florida, they started working on their next album, Harmony CorruptionHarmony Corruption
-From the Mentally Murdered EP:*The song Mentally Murdered is a different recording than the version found on From Enslavement to Obliteration-Bonus LP 'Live I.C.A...
. While writing Harmony Corruption they changed their style a little, from grindcore, to a mix of blast beat
Blast beat
A blast beat is a drum beat often associated with extreme metal and grindcore, although its usage predates the genres, and is utilised by many different styles of metal...
s and some slower, more rhythmic parts. In addition, death metal was a major influence on Harmony Corruption, more so than their previous records. After releasing the new record, they went on touring around the world and from the material filmed at those concerts they released a home-video, Live Corruption
Live Corruption
Live Corruption is a live album by the English band Napalm Death released in 1992. It was recorded live at the Salisbury Arts Centre, England on 30 June 1990...
. Directed by noted metal director Steve Payne.
The band caught considerable flack from longtime fans in respect to the "death metal" sound and production of Harmony Corruption. Smarting from the accusations of selling-out by the British underground "elites", Napalm entered Eddie Van Dale's Violent Noise Experience Club in March of '91 to record six new tracks. These new songs, the "Mass Appeal Madness
Mass Appeal Madness
Mass Appeal Madness is an EP by Napalm Death. It was released in 1991 on Earache Records and is dedicated to the memory of Roger Patterson, a member of the death metal band Atheist who died in the same year.-Track listing:...
" 12" LP, had a much more raw grind quality to them, finding instant favour with fans. This recording, along with the "Mentally Murdered
Mentally Murdered
Mentally Murdered is an EP by the English band Napalm Death, originally released in 1989. It was later included on the Harmony Corruption CD and the Death by Manipulation compilation album...
" 12", the spit 7" with S.O.B. and live tracks from Live Corruption, found a home on the Death by Manipulation
Death by Manipulation
Death by Manipulation is a compilation album of singles by the British band Napalm Death released in March 1992. On the album tracks 1-4 are from the Mass Appeal Madness EP, 5-7 from "Suffer the Children" single, 8-13 from Mentally Murdered EP, and tracks 14-19 are Napalm Death songs from Napalm...
CD.
Drummer Mick Harris - the only remaining member of the line-up that had played on the band's first album, Scum - eventually left Napalm Death because of conflicts regarding their musical style. Danny Herrera, a close friend to Jesse Pintado, was brought in to replace Mick. The addition of Herrera would be the last major line-up change of the band, save for Jesse Pintado's future absence, which has yet to be filled (and vocalist Phil Vane never recorded with the band). Napalm Death released a new record, Utopia Banished
Utopia Banished
Utopia Banished is the fourth album by the UK band Napalm Death. The album was released in 1992 by Earache Records. It is the first album featuring Danny Herrera on drums following the departure of Mick Harris....
. Now working with producer Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson
Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums, and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres such as:*Anathema*As I Lay Dying*Behemoth*Bullet for My Valentine...
. This release was a kind of "return to the roots" - grindcore. After recording The World Keeps Turning
The World Keeps Turning
The World Keeps Turning is an EP by Napalm Death. It was released in 1992 on Earache Records.-Track listing:-Credits:*Mark "Barney" Greenway - Vocals*Shane Embury - Bass*Mitch Harris - Guitar*Jesse Pintado - Guitar*Danny Herrera - Drums...
EP, the band toured Europe with Dismember
Dismember (band)
Dismember was a Swedish death metal band that formed in 1988. They are well known in the death metal underground. They split up in October 2011.-History:...
and Obituary
Obituary (band)
Obituary is an American death metal band formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida under the name Executioner, then changed the name's spelling to Xecutioner, and later changed their name to Obituary in 1988. The band comprises vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, guitarists Trevor Peres and Ralph...
on the "Campaign for Musical Destruction" tour. They then toured the US with Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
, Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
and Sick Of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
. The proceeds of Napalm Death's 1993 EP Nazi Punks Fuck Off were donated to anti-fascist organisations.
The band remixed the track "Mind Of A Razor" by London based hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
crew Gunshot
Gunshot (band)
Gunshot was a British hip hop group, formed by MC Mercury, MC Alkaline, Q-Roc, DJ White Child Rix and DJ/MC Barry Blue in the area of Leyton in east London.-Career:...
. The remixed version of the track appeared on the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
of the same name in 1992. Thereafter, they went to the studio and recorded Fear, Emptiness, Despair
Fear, Emptiness, Despair
Fear, Emptiness, Despair is the fifth album by British grindcore band Napalm Death, released in 1994. Originally titled Under Rule, this record is notable for its extensive use of midpaced songs and elaborate music structures, similar to previous albums such as Utopia Banished and Harmony...
. Although it was still as heavy and aggressive as previous releases, the new record took a different direction and sounded more experimental; they added more rhythmic riffs, an industrial-like structure, and then added grindcore blast beats. Live concerts with Entombed
Entombed (band)
Entombed is a Swedish death metal band which formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. Though Entombed began their career as an early pioneer of Scandinavian death metal which initially differed itself from its American counterpart with its distinct guitar tone, by the early 1990s their sound had...
, Obituary and Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
showed the audience how violent and aggressive the new Napalm Death sound was. They continued with the experimentation through the rest of the 1990s.
1995–2004
The Greed KillingGreed Killing
Greed Killing is an EP by the British band Napalm Death.It was released in 1995 on Earache Records, containing two songs from the Diatribes album and four exclusive songs from the Diatribes recording sessions.-Track listing:-Credits:...
EP was the next release from the band, through Earache. After the preview with the EP, Diatribes
Diatribes
- Personnel :* Mark "Barney" Greenway - Vocals* Shane Embury - Bass, Backing vocals* Mitch Harris - Guitar* Jesse Pintado - Guitar* Danny Herrera - Drums...
, a full-length album was released. Although things seemed to be going smoothly from outside, they were going through problems. Misunderstanding rose between the members and singer Greenway was expelled from the band in late/mid 1996. Greenway went to record with Extreme Noise Terror
Extreme Noise Terror
Extreme Noise Terror are a British crust punk / grindcore band originally formed in Ipswich, England in 1985. The band are widely considered one of the earliest and most influential European grindcore bands, and particularly the forefathers of the crustgrind subgenre.Notable for one of the...
(the ENT release Damage 381 features Barney on lead vocals) and ENT's main singer Phil Vane went to fill vocals slot in Napalm Death. Things did not go as well as they were supposed to, and Vane was kicked out of the band just before they got into the studio to record the new album. And so Greenway returned to Napalm Death.
The next albums Inside the Torn Apart
Inside the Torn Apart
Inside the Torn Apart is the seventh album by Napalm Death.-Track listing:All songs written by Shane Embury, except where noted.* - Bonus tracks on digipak edition of the albumTracks 13 and 14 were also featured On Breed to Breathe-Credits:...
and Words from the Exit Wound
Words from the Exit Wound
Words from the Exit Wound is the eighth album by Napalm Death released in 1998. It, along with Enemy of the Music Business, is one of two studio albums that were released by Napalm Death only on CD.-Track listing:* Bonus tracks on U.S...
continued with the experimentation but displayed more signs of grindcore, notably faster tempos than the last two albums. This return was completed with the release of Enemy of the Music Business
Enemy of the Music Business
Enemy of the Music Business is the ninth album by the British band Napalm Death released in 2000. This album along with Words from the Exit Wound are the only Napalm Death studio albums that were released only on CD...
. It shows their anger with the music industry and especially with Earache. Order of the Leech
Order of the Leech
Order of the Leech is the tenth album by the British band Napalm Death released in 2002. Although credited in the line-up, Jesse Pintado never performed. The second guitar is actually Mitch Harris overdubbing.-Track listing:-Notes:...
continued where their previous album ended and can be seen as even more faster and aggressive.
In 2004, they recorded a covers album called Leaders Not Followers: Part 2
Leaders Not Followers: Part 2
Leaders Not Followers: Part 2 is the eleventh album by the British band Napalm Death. It contains covers of various hardcore punk and heavy metal songs...
, the sequel to their earlier covers EP. It contains covers of old hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bands, including Cryptic Slaughter
Cryptic Slaughter
Cryptic Slaughter was a Santa Monica, California-based crossover thrash band.-Biography:Cryptic Slaughter was formed in 1984 by Les Evans , Scott Peterson and Adam Scott , who met through their mutual participation in the American Youth Soccer League . Soon they were joined by Bill Crooks , a...
, Massacre, Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
, Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
, Siege
Siege (band)
Siege was an American punk/Thrashcore band from Weymouth, Massachusetts. They were active in the 1980s Boston hardcore scene from 1983 to 1985, and reunited briefly in the early 1990s....
and Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
. Due to personal problems, Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado was a lead guitar player born in Mexico who at an early age moved to the US. He started in the band Terrorizer where he recorded the grindcore album World Downfall, the first album to feature Pete Sandoval who would later leave the band to join Morbid Angel...
did not play on either Order of the Leech or Leaders Not Followers: Part 2, and left the band in early 2004. Nevertheless Pintado stated that he left because he grew tired of Napalm Death and wanted to start something new. The two guitars that you hear is Mitch over-dubbing.
2005 onwards
The Code Is Red...Long Live the Code
-Credits:* Mark "Barney" Greenway – Vocals* Shane Embury – Bass, rhythm guitar, background vocals* Mitch Harris – Lead Guitar, background vocals, video director, video editor* Danny Herrera – Drums* Jello Biafra – Vocals on "The Great and the Good"...
was released. It features guest appearances from Jeffrey Walker
Jeffrey Walker
Jeffrey Walker is a bass guitarist and vocalist from Windle, St Helens, UK. He is best known for his work with the death metal / grindcore band Carcass for which he is also the main lyricist. Before Carcass, he played in the punk band the Electro Hippies. After the demise of Carcass, he went on to...
(formerly of Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
), Jamey Jasta
Jamey Jasta
Jamey Jasta is an American musician from New Haven, Connecticut, best known as the lead vocalist of the hardcore band Hatebreed and sludge metal band Kingdom of Sorrow...
(Hatebreed
Hatebreed
- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
vocalist) and Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
(formerly of Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
, and Lard
Lard
Lard is pig fat in both its rendered and unrendered forms. Lard was commonly used in many cuisines as a cooking fat or shortening, or as a spread similar to butter. Its use in contemporary cuisine has diminished because of health concerns posed by its saturated-fat content and its often negative...
among many other bands). The album continued the band's progressive approach to their brutal brand of extreme metal, with their trademark grindcore sound retained.
Napalm Death finished recording their follow-up album titled Smear Campaign
Smear Campaign (album)
-Credits:*Mark "Barney" Greenway – vocals*Shane Embury – bass*Mitch Harris – guitar, backing vocals*Danny Herrera – drums*Anneke van Giersbergen – guest vocals on "In Deference"...
in June 2006; released on September 15, 2006 to very strong reviews from fans and critics alike. The main lyrical focus is criticism of the United States Government and other governments who are strongly religious. The album features a guest appearance by Anneke van Giersbergen
Anneke van Giersbergen
Anneke van Giersbergen is the former lead singer of the Dutch progressive/alternative rock band The Gathering which she departed in August 2007. Since then, she has been involved in a solo project called Agua de Annique which also included her husband & drummer of the band, Rob Snijders...
, vocalist for the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
rock band The Gathering
The Gathering (band)
The Gathering is a Dutch alternative rock band, founded in 1989 by brothers Hans and René Rutten and vocalist Bart Smits in the small city of Oss, North Brabant....
. There is a limited edition digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
version of Smear Campaign, which has two new songs, "Call That an Option?" and "Atheist Runt".
In early 2006 Napalm Death headlined a tour with Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
, A Perfect Murder
A Perfect Murder
A Perfect Murder is a 1998 American thriller film directed by Andrew Davis and starring Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Viggo Mortensen. It is a modern remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film, Dial M for Murder, though the characters' names are all changed, and over half the plot is completely...
, and Undying. On August 27, 2006, Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado
Jesse Pintado was a lead guitar player born in Mexico who at an early age moved to the US. He started in the band Terrorizer where he recorded the grindcore album World Downfall, the first album to feature Pete Sandoval who would later leave the band to join Morbid Angel...
died in a hospital in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
due to liver failure
Liver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
, prompting Mitch Harris to express his sadness at the loss of someone he thought of as "a brother" on the band's official website. After the Smear Campaign tour, the band did a 2007 "World Domination Tour". Bassist Shane Embury
Shane Embury
Shane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
is currently working on a project with Mick Kenney
Mick Kenney
Mick Kenney is a musician, artist, and producer from Birmingham, UK. He relocated to California, Orange County in 2007. He currently plays in extreme metal acts Anaal Nathrakh, and Suffer well. His past bands include Fukpig, Frost, Professor Fate and Mistress.He is the owner of Necrodeath...
of Anaal Nathrakh
Anaal Nathrakh
Anaal Nathrakh are a British extreme metal band formed in 1999 who fuse black metal, grindcore, death metal and industrial music. They are currently signed to Candlelight Records....
, their work together will be released on FETO Records
FETO Records
FETO Records is a British independent record label founded by Mick Kenney and Shane Embury.The name of the record label is an acronym of From Enslavement To Obliteration, the title of Napalm Death's second album....
at the end of 2007.
In November 2008, Napalm Death's fourteenth studio album, entitled Time Waits For No Slave
Time Waits for No Slave
Time Waits for No Slave is the fourteenth studio album by the British grindcore band Napalm Death. It was released through Century Media on 23 January 2009.-Reception:- Track listing :-Personnel:Napalm Death* Barney Greenway – vocals...
, leaked onto the internet; it was officially released on January 23, 2009. Similar to Smear Campaign, Time Waits For No Slave also had a digipak version containing two extra songs ("Suppressed Hunger" and "Omnipresent Knife In Your Back").
In February 2011, Napalm Death appeared in an episode of Channel 4's "Skins". Napalm Death entered Parlour Studio in Kettering, U.K with producer Russ Russell
Russ Russell
Russ Russell is a British record producer, sound engineer, mixer, mastering engineer, musician and writer. He has worked all over the world and now is mostly based at Parlour Studios in the UK...
to begin working on a new album. Also in 2011, they recorded the single "Legacy Was Yesterday". Napalm Death are putting the finishing touches on Utilitarian, their 15th studio album, and will be released on February 27 in Europe and February 28 2012 in North America via Century Media.
Discography
- Scum (1987)
- From Enslavement to ObliterationFrom Enslavement to ObliterationFrom Enslavement to Obliteration is the second album by grindcore band Napalm Death, released in 1988.-Background:From Enslavement to Obliteration is the only Napalm Death album to feature Lee Dorrian as the sole vocalist, where he offers the low, grunting vocals and from time to time in songs, he...
(1988) - Harmony CorruptionHarmony Corruption-From the Mentally Murdered EP:*The song Mentally Murdered is a different recording than the version found on From Enslavement to Obliteration-Bonus LP 'Live I.C.A...
(1990) - Utopia BanishedUtopia BanishedUtopia Banished is the fourth album by the UK band Napalm Death. The album was released in 1992 by Earache Records. It is the first album featuring Danny Herrera on drums following the departure of Mick Harris....
(1992) - Fear, Emptiness, DespairFear, Emptiness, DespairFear, Emptiness, Despair is the fifth album by British grindcore band Napalm Death, released in 1994. Originally titled Under Rule, this record is notable for its extensive use of midpaced songs and elaborate music structures, similar to previous albums such as Utopia Banished and Harmony...
(1994) - DiatribesDiatribes- Personnel :* Mark "Barney" Greenway - Vocals* Shane Embury - Bass, Backing vocals* Mitch Harris - Guitar* Jesse Pintado - Guitar* Danny Herrera - Drums...
(1996) - Inside the Torn ApartInside the Torn ApartInside the Torn Apart is the seventh album by Napalm Death.-Track listing:All songs written by Shane Embury, except where noted.* - Bonus tracks on digipak edition of the albumTracks 13 and 14 were also featured On Breed to Breathe-Credits:...
(1997) - Words from the Exit WoundWords from the Exit WoundWords from the Exit Wound is the eighth album by Napalm Death released in 1998. It, along with Enemy of the Music Business, is one of two studio albums that were released by Napalm Death only on CD.-Track listing:* Bonus tracks on U.S...
(1998) - Enemy of the Music BusinessEnemy of the Music BusinessEnemy of the Music Business is the ninth album by the British band Napalm Death released in 2000. This album along with Words from the Exit Wound are the only Napalm Death studio albums that were released only on CD...
(2000) - Order of the LeechOrder of the LeechOrder of the Leech is the tenth album by the British band Napalm Death released in 2002. Although credited in the line-up, Jesse Pintado never performed. The second guitar is actually Mitch Harris overdubbing.-Track listing:-Notes:...
(2002) - Leaders Not Followers: Part 2Leaders Not Followers: Part 2Leaders Not Followers: Part 2 is the eleventh album by the British band Napalm Death. It contains covers of various hardcore punk and heavy metal songs...
(2004) - The Code Is Red...Long Live the CodeThe Code Is Red...Long Live the Code-Credits:* Mark "Barney" Greenway – Vocals* Shane Embury – Bass, rhythm guitar, background vocals* Mitch Harris – Lead Guitar, background vocals, video director, video editor* Danny Herrera – Drums* Jello Biafra – Vocals on "The Great and the Good"...
(2005) - Smear CampaignSmear Campaign (album)-Credits:*Mark "Barney" Greenway – vocals*Shane Embury – bass*Mitch Harris – guitar, backing vocals*Danny Herrera – drums*Anneke van Giersbergen – guest vocals on "In Deference"...
(2006) - Time Waits for No SlaveTime Waits for No SlaveTime Waits for No Slave is the fourteenth studio album by the British grindcore band Napalm Death. It was released through Century Media on 23 January 2009.-Reception:- Track listing :-Personnel:Napalm Death* Barney Greenway – vocals...
(2009) - Utilitarian (2012)
Current lineup
- Mark GreenwayMark GreenwayMark "Barney" Greenway is a British extreme metal singer, who has been a member of Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror, and Benediction....
– vocals (1989–1996, 1997–present) - Shane EmburyShane EmburyShane Embury is a British bassist and member of Napalm Death.-Napalm Death:Embury is the only member left who has been in the band since the Scum tour, replacing previous bassist Jim Whitley in 1987...
– bass guitar (1987–present) - Mitch HarrisMitch HarrisMitch Harris is an American guitarist, born in New York then moving to Las Vegas, currently living in Birmingham, England. He started his career in the Grindcore band Righteous Pigs. He did a side project with Mick Harris - then the drummer of grindcore band Napalm Death, called Defecation...
– guitars, backing vocals (1990–present) - Danny Herrera – drums (1991–present)
Past members
Vocals- Nik Napalm (Nicholas Bullen)Nicholas Bullen-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
(1981–1986) - Marian Williams (1984)
- Lee DorrianLee DorrianLee Dorrian is a singer from Coventry, England. Originally the editor/publisher of the Cov punk fanzine "Committed Suicide" he then went on to be the singer and lyricist with Napalm Death and recorded one and a half albums with them, namely the second half of Scum and From Enslavement to...
(1987–1989) - Phil Vane (1996–1997) (deceased)
Bass guitar
- Nik Napalm (Nicholas Bullen)Nicholas Bullen-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
(1981, 1985–1986) - Grayhard (Graham "Robbo" Robertson) (1982)
- Fin (Finbar Quinn) (1983–1984)
- P-Nut (Peter Shaw) (1985)
- James (Jim) Whiteley (1986–1987)
Guitar
- Si O (Simon Oppenheimer) (1981–1982)
- Daz F (Daryl "Sid" Fedeski) (1982)
- Grayhard (Graham "Robbo" Robertson) (1983–1985)
- Damien Errington (1985)
- Justin BroadrickJustin BroadrickJustin Karl Michael Broadrick is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the band Godflesh, one of the first bands to combine elements of extreme metal and industrial music.-Biography:Broadrick was born in the council estates of inner...
(1985–1986) - Frank HealyFrank HealyFrank Healy was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK, he is a former Napalm Death guitarist. Healy also was the bass player for Cerebral Fix. He also played bass in the first live Anaal Nathrakh session for the John Peel show. He is currently the bassist in the band Benediction.-References:...
(1987) - Bill SteerBill SteerBill Steer is an English guitar player, and a founder of British Metal band Carcass...
(1987–1989) - Jesse PintadoJesse PintadoJesse Pintado was a lead guitar player born in Mexico who at an early age moved to the US. He started in the band Terrorizer where he recorded the grindcore album World Downfall, the first album to feature Pete Sandoval who would later leave the band to join Morbid Angel...
(1989–2004) (deceased)
Drums
- Rat (Miles Ratledge)Miles RatledgeMiles Ratledge is a founding member of the band Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the grindcore genre which blended elements of extreme metal and punk rock.-Biography:...
(1981–1985) - Mick HarrisMick HarrisMick Harris commonly known and credited both as Mick Harris or occasionally M.J. Harris, is an English musician....
(1985–1991)
Associated acts
Members of Napalm Death have moved on to form bands such as CarcassCarcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
, Godflesh
Godflesh
Godflesh are an English industrial metal band from Birmingham, England. Originally known as Fall of Because, they formed in 1988 by Justin K. Broadrick and G.C. Green and disbanded in 2002. Godflesh's innovative music is widely regarded as a foundational influence on industrial metal and post-metal...
, Cathedral
Cathedral (band)
Cathedral are a doom metal band from Coventry, England. The group forged a link between early doom metal and a 1990s extreme metal aesthetic, making doom slower and heavier. Their debut album, Forest of Equilibrium, is considered a classic of the genre. They later on changed their doom style,...
, Scorn
Scorn (band)
Scorn was an English electronic music project. The group was formed in the early 1990s as a side project of former Napalm Death members Mick Harris and Nic Bullen...
, Jesu
Jesu (band)
Jesu is a post-metal band formed in 2003 by Justin Broadrick following the breakup of Godflesh. Jesu was the name of the last song on the final Godflesh release, Hymns, and Broadrick decided to adopt it as the name of this project....
, and Black Galaxy. Additionally, band members have formed numerous side projects, including Lull, Painkiller
Painkiller (band)
Painkiller is a band originally formed in 1991. Their style can be described as a mix of avant-garde jazz and grindcore; later albums also incorporated elements of ambient and dub....
, Brujeria
Brujeria (band)
Brujeria is an extreme metal band formed in Tijuana, Mexico in 1989. Their name comes from the Spanish word for "witchcraft". Their songs, which are sung in Spanish, are focused on Satanism, anti-Christianity, sex, immigration, narcotics smuggling, politics....
, Lock Up
Lock Up (UK band)
Lock Up is a deathgrind side project originally formed by Shane Embury , Nicholas Barker and Jesse Pintado...
, Meathook Seed
Meathook Seed
Meathook Seed was an industrial metal project formed in 1992 by Napalm Death guitarist Mitch Harris.Since its founding, two Meathook Seed albums were released.-Embedded:...
, Defecation
Defecation (band)
Defecation is a deathgrind side project formed by Righteous Pigs guitarist Mitch Harris and ex-Napalm Death drummer Mick Harris in 1987. Mitch Harris was the guitarist, bassist and vocalist, and Mick Harris was the drummer and vocalist as well, until Mick left the group shortly after their first...
, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine
Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine
Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine are an English drone doom supergroup, formed in 2001 and featuring musicians from other metal bands.They take their name from the second song from the Earth album Earth 2...
, and Venomous Concept
Venomous Concept
Venomous Concept is a hardcore punk band; the name itself is a play on Poison Idea, in the style of name-mangling Japanese hardcore acts.-History:...
.