Label: Supreme Chaos
Reissued 10/4/2024, Originally released 2006
Golden vinyl, remastered for vinyl, insert, limited to 200 copies. Napalm Death's "Smear Campaign," released in 2006, stands as a powerful statement against religious dogma and societal oppression. This album delivers free-thinking, free-form grindcore from the grind majors that dismantles religious burden myth-by-myth. With its relentless energy and incisive lyrics, "Smear Campaign" continues the band's tradition of merging ferocious soundscapes with thought-provoking themes. The album opens with "Weltschmerz (Intro)," setting a dark, ominous tone that quickly escalates into a barrage of blast beats, distorted riffs, and Barney Greenway's unmistakable growls. Tracks like "Sink Fast, Let Go" and "Fatalist" exemplify the band's ability to combine speed and aggression with intricate musicality and lyrical depth. The inclusion of guest vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering) on "In Deference" adds a haunting melodic layer, contrasting sharply with the album's brutal intensity. "Smear Campaign" is not just an auditory assault but a call to question and dismantle the oppressive structures upheld by religious and political institutions. For fans of extreme music, this album is a testament to Napalm Death's enduring relevance and their unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo through grindcore.
Track listing:
- Weltschmerz (Intro)
- Sink Fast, Let Go
- Fatalist
- Puritanical Punishment Beating
- When All Is Said and Done
- Freedom Is the Wage of Sin
- In Deference
- Short-Lived
- Identity Crisis
- Shattered Existence
- Eyes Right Out
- Call That an Option?
- Warped Beyond Logic
- Rabid Wolves (for Christ)
- Deaf and Dumbstruck (Intelligent Design)
- Persona Non Grata
- Smear Campaign
- Atheist Runt