NAPALM DEATH — From Enslavement to Obliteration (review)

NAPALM DEATH — From Enslavement to Obliteration album cover Album · 1988 · Grindcore Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"From Enslavement to Obliteration" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK grindcore act Napalm Death. The album was released through Earache Records in September 1988. The debut album "Scum (1987)" features quite a confusing lineup history, but on this album, Napalm Death have settled with most of the lineup that recorded Side 2 of "Scum (1987)" with the addition of bassist Shane Embury. An important addition to the ranks as Shane Embury has proven to be the only remaining member from this lineup. Drummer Mick Harris would depart after the next album ("Harmony Corruption (1990)") and soon after form Scorn, guitarist Bill Steer would depart after recording the "Mentally Murdered (1989)" EP to concentrate his efforts on Carcass and vocalist Lee Dorian would also depart after the "Mentally Murdered (1989)" EP to form Cathedral.

...so the 27 tracks on "From Enslavement to Obliteration" were recorded by a relatively shortlived lineup. There´s nothing wrong with the interplay though as the band are pretty well playing for a grindcore act. At this point very few death metal influences had sneaked into the band´s sound so the music on the album is more or less fast-paced hardcore punk taken to the extreme. However some of the longer, and partially heavier tracks, like "Evolved as One", "Unchallenged Hate", the title track and "Mentally Murdered" do show that the band weren´t content with only blasting away. Most tracks are 0:30 to 1:30 minute long blast fests though and most tracks are pretty hard to tell apart even after listening to the album for years. It´s a bit of a shame the band weren´t more conscious about writing more diverse material at the time because about half way through "From Enslavement to Obliteration", the album becomes somewhat of a drag. The extreme aggression and trivial blast beating simply become monotone, when there are so few hooks to hold on to.

I know the criticism might seem harsh considering that "From Enslavement to Obliteration" is widely considered a seminal album release in the grindcore genre, but it´s a very hard album to listen to from beginning to end, even though it´s only 34:18 minutes long. The raw and abrasive sound production is not exactly nice on the ears either, but on the other hand it does suit the music well, so I guess it´s an aquired taste. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.
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