Napalm Death never disappoint. Since 1987's Scum, the UK grindcore legends have consistently delivered a long list of influential and highly revered releases. Their latest offering, Apex Predator - Easy Meat, is no exception. Napalm Death haven't slowed down with age; if anything, they've gotten even more aggressive and dynamic over the years. Their 15th studio album, and followup to 2012's impeccable Utilitarian, displays the band's iconic, visceral approach. "Smash a Single Digit" and "Metaphorically Screw You" are relentlessly intense, with whiplash-fast riffs and gritty vocals. It's exactly what you'd expect — the fierce and chaotic "Cesspits," particularly.
However, much like with Utilitarian and the more recent releases, the new album adds some musical diversity into the grind pioneers' classic sound: "How the Years Condemn" features more dissonant tones and thrashy rhythms and "Dear Slum Landlord" is wonderfully melodic and Swans-esque, while "Hierarchies" is harsh and aggressive yet filled with crushing groove. As always, the band's thought-provoking themes coincide with the severity of their music, this time focusing on capitalism, consumption and materialism. Their traditional characteristics and intellectual concepts, incorporated with new elements and ideas, make Apex Predator - Easy Meat another impressive addition to Napalm Death's spotless catalogue.
(Century Media)However, much like with Utilitarian and the more recent releases, the new album adds some musical diversity into the grind pioneers' classic sound: "How the Years Condemn" features more dissonant tones and thrashy rhythms and "Dear Slum Landlord" is wonderfully melodic and Swans-esque, while "Hierarchies" is harsh and aggressive yet filled with crushing groove. As always, the band's thought-provoking themes coincide with the severity of their music, this time focusing on capitalism, consumption and materialism. Their traditional characteristics and intellectual concepts, incorporated with new elements and ideas, make Apex Predator - Easy Meat another impressive addition to Napalm Death's spotless catalogue.