Napalm Death - Diatribes
1996 Earache

Website:  www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com

Horatio's Review:
'Diatribes' marked a shift in Napalm Death's sound that was hinted at on 1994's monumental 'Fear, Emptiness, Despair', that being a lessening in speed, with only three tracks containing the blast beats that made the band so legendary.  That's not to say the heaviness isn't toned down, as savage blasts like 'Glimpse Into Genocide', 'Corrosive Elements' and 'My Own Worst Enemy' maintain the ferocity expected without grind blasts.  This was Napalm's most melodic work, with most songs identifiable on first listen, while Barney is easily understood on many songs, although a lyric sheet always helps.  Inevitably it's the three pieces of grindcore that win out, those being 'Ripe For The Breaking', 'Dogma' and 'Diatribes' which proved Napalm were still the leaders of the extreme movement.  One of the bands best efforts, and far superior to 1997's 'Inside The Torn Apart' which was a mere clone of the ideas and formula presented so well here.
Horatio's Rating:  B+

Also be sure to read:
Napalm Death - Inside The Torn Apart by Skin Splitter
Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption by Horatio