Ok next one out for these guys is NAPALM DEATH From Enslavement to Obliteration. Released in 1988 this does show a bit of refinement in the bands songwriting skills and a move to more traditional grind-core in the sense of the word. The recording is better and far more listenable than their first album and the songs more consistent. There’s a charm the first record had that this doesn’t as this one doesn’t have the experimental feel the first one did.
The album opens up with a suitably “Industrial” intro and then straight into proceedings. Guitar player Bill steer lays down some awesome riffage while this also marks the debut appearance of bass player Shane Embury who has gone on to be the longest serving member of the band. It’s also the last proper album to feature Lee Dorian who took his leave to form Cathedral.
The drumming on this had progressed to the next level with Mick Harris really upping his game. The first album (in my opinion) lacked control on the drums but this time Harris had really tightened up and put in a more “metal” drum performance as opposed to the punk blasting of the first album. Its hard to get into track by track breakdown on this album but my faves would have to be “Unchallenged Hate”, “Lucid Fairytale” and “From Enslavement to Obliteration” as they feature some stand out riffing that is more memorable (well, more memorable to those that aren’t particularly into grind). This is another of those releases that I bought back in the day but wasn’t really able to get my head around it, but going back now I have to say I’ve found a new appreciation for what Napalm Death do, and especially what they’ve contributed to the evolution of extreme metal.
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