NAPALM DEATH — Scum (review)

Album · 1987 · Grindcore

2.5/5 · 2011-04-22
UMUR

"Scum" is the debut full-length studio album by UK grindcore act Napalm Death. The album was originally independently released by the band but was soon snatched up by Earache Records for a July, 1987 release.

The story of Napalm Death goes as far back as 1982 when the band started out as a hardcore punk act. They´ve changed members frequently over the years and the lineup changes were especially frequent in the early years of the band´s existence. Therefore "Scum" actually has a rather interesting lineup history. Side 1 ( tracks 1-12) of the original vinyl version has an almost completely different lineup compared to the lineup that recorded the tracks that are featured on Side 2 ( tracks 13-28) of the original vinyl version. It´s not often you´ll find albums where the lineup varies this much between tracks. Drummer Mick Harris is the only musician present on all tracks on the album. It was obviously a transition period for the band and it´s worth noting that vocalist/ bassist Nik Bullen, who was the only founding member left in the lineup isn´t present on the tracks on Side 2. So that means that the lineup that recorded Side 2 didn´t feature a single founding member! Another thing that´s worth noting about the lineup that recorded Side 1 is that Justin Broadrick ( Godflesh, Jesu) plays guitar, and about the lineup on Side 2 that Bill Steer ( Carcass) plays guitar and Lee Dorrian ( Cathedral) delivers vocals. We are talking three very prolific musicians here and I guess that just further emphasises the importance of "Scum". Both as one of the seminal grindcore releases and as an album that spawned some of the most prolific UK metal musicians in the last 25 years.

Given the fact that the album was recorded by two different lineups and during two different sessions ( Side 1 was actually recorded and released in 1986 as a demo before appearing here), the sound and musical style is surprisingly consistent. The music varies between noisy, blasting grindcore sections and mid-paced groove based sections. The vocals are shouting and raw. The tracks are usually very short ( around the minute mark most of them) and most go by without leaving much to hold on to or remember. The longest track on the album "Siege of Power", is interestingly enough, also the most memorable track on the album. Well and then of course the 1 second long track "You Suffer", which has become a Napalm Death live classic. It´s always entertaining when they do encores of that song.

The 28 track album is over in little over half an hour and there you have it. One of the most important releases in grindcore history. Looked upon objectively the musicianship is a bit sloppy, the production is unpolished and at times messy and noisy and it´s apparent not much thought was given to writing varied material, but it´s still one of the most important albums in the grindcore genre. You probably won´t find a single grindcore act that isn´t influenced by "Scum" in some way. Still I try and avoid giving out ratings based on influence alone but focus more on the actual quality of the music, production and musicianship and in that respect "Scum" isn´t the most impressive grindcore release out there. Therefore a 2.5 star rating is warranted.