Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption
1990 Earache
by Horatio

Quick Summary:
1990 was a year of major transition for Napalm Death as original members Lee Dorrian and Bill Steer left to pursue other projects, leaving behind Embury and Mick Harris as the remnants from 1989's 'From Enslavement To Obliteration'.  The major acquisition was of Benediction's vocalist Barney, otherwise known as Mark Greenway.  American guitarists Mitch Harris and Jesse Pintado (ex Terrorizer) were hired to fill Steer's shoes, giving the band an Anglo-American mix (furthered the following year when Danny Herrera replaced Mick Harris).  After the novelty value of the first two albums and their blast beat innovations, Napalm Death opted for a death metal route for 'Harmony Corruption', no doubt influenced by recording with Scott Burns at the one time death metal hotbed of Morrisound Studio's. 

Napalm's shift in direction didn't sit well with hardcore fans, who accused them of becoming bland and formularized in the face of constructing longer songs, with massive death metal leanings musically.  This criticism didn't sit well with the band, who defied these 'fans' with brutal slabs of grindcore like 'Extremity Retained'.  'Harmony Corruption' was their first real album you might say, with proper song development and lyrics, that saw the band playing with as much speed as they ever had.  The blast beats are numerous and the death metal riffing is vintage early 90's style, listening to this it's obvious that Burns was the same man responsible for offerings by Cannibal Corpse, Deicide and Obituary.  Napalm Death might have changed here, but nothing had been compromised.  In fact this is the only occasion where they played in such a blatant death metal manner.  A must have in terms of 1990's death metal.

Website:  www.enemyofthemusicbusiness.com

Song Summaries:

1. Vision Conquest - Opening in true grindcore fashion, but with the usual sinister death metal riffs so synonymous of the genre.  It might have come as a shock, but no band has ever been so intimidating playing as fast as Napalm.  B+
2. If The Truth Be Known - A four minute song by Napalm Death?  This was that moment, another frantic blast of thrash/death/grind that displays Barney's vocal mastery of being so incomprehensible.  B
3. Inner Incineration - If you are searching for a piece of absolute devastation then go no further than the one minute mark and the blast beat therein.  One of best I've ever heard.  For that alone an A.
4. Malicious Intent - By the numbers death metal.  Nothing invigorating.  C 
5. Unfit Earth - Napalm reinforce their death metal credentials as John Tardy and Glenn Benton add backing vocals to this five minute extravaganza, really making them feel at home with the Roadrunner family.  Some worthwhile Tardy bellows within, among a heap of lengthy blast beats.  B 
6. Circle Of Hypocrisy - Midpaced until the two minute mark, a simple thrasher that seems slow by Napalms standards, but would be lightning by Slayer's.  B 
7. The Chains That Bind - A right shitkicker to start, piling on the grind.  Barney's lyrics to the forefront, 'life- a stagnant lair in which to lie, taste the scent, realize ambition!' In other words, you can do it!  B 
8. Mindsnare - A tune regarding heroin addiction?  That's right, 'your white powder god brings life to the boil', sings Barney after his crippling addiction in the mid 80's almost curtailed his career in metal.  Luckily he survived to deliver anti drug warnings like this.  C 
9. Extremity Retained - Barney defends the new direction in a lyrical tirade lasting two minutes, with such rants like 'everybody has the right to opinionize, but to us your pettiness is used to occupy your tiny minds.'  Good, short and fast.  B+ 
10. Suffer The Children - A great title second only to 'Pride Assassin'.  This still sees airplay in Napalm's live set I believe, again with good bursts of crazed speed.  B+ 
11. Hiding Behind - 'Should self expression mean social loss of face'?  Hmm that's a good question Barney.  I tend to agree as last night I tried to murder a fellow at work with a pick axe, an action which led to my being shunned by my supposed workmates.  A

Average Song Rating:  B-
Overall Album Rating:  B+

Also be sure to read:
Napalm Death - Diatribes Quick Reviews by Horatio
Napalm Death - Inside The Torn Apart by Skin Splitter