UMUR
"Leaders Not Followers" is an EP release by UK death metal/grindcore act Napalm Death. The EP was released through Dream Catcher Records in October 1999. It bridges the gap between the band´s 8th and 9th full-length studio albums "Words From the Exit Wound (1998)" and "Enemy of the Music Business (2000)".
The 19:11 minutes long EP (almost 5 minutes of the closing track "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is silence) features 6 tracks which are all covers of various hardcore punk and metal artists. Actually "Leaders Not Followers" is slightly more metal oriented than hardcore punk oriented as there are only two tracks in the latter style by Raw Power and Dead Kennedys, while we are treated to four tracks by Death, Slaughter, Repulsion, and Pentagram, which are more in the metal mold. All tracks are well performed, with the vital touch of Napalm Death´s own grindcore/death metal sound, which is always important when you do covers, but I will give a special mention to the cover of "Incinerator" by Slaughter, because not only is that a great track, it´s also a great cover version of the track.
"Leaders Not Followers" features a powerful and well sounding production, and Napalm Death as usual deliver their music with great passion and conviction. So upon conclusion "Leaders Not Followers" is a nice little addition to the band´s already quite sizable discography and a 3.5 star (70%) rating isn´t all wrong.