With much of the metal scene in a permanent state of superficiality, Napalm Death’s righteous fury and utter disregard for routine sonic styles mark the grindcore legends out as one of the few truly subversive bands around. But even by their own standards, Apex Predator – Easy Meat is startling. Thematically centred on the horror of industrialised slave labour in the modern world, the band’s 15th studio album revels in the perversity of such compassionate and humane lyrical ideas being tethered to music that seeks to leave real scars. It’s a diverse set that veers from expected bursts of dizzying speed and violence such as Smash a Single Digit and Cesspits to gruelling, hypnotic dirges such as the dense, unearthly Swans-isms of the title track and the churning Dear Slum Landlord, while the hammering, dissonant grooves of How the Years Condemn and Timeless Flogging add twisted accessibility to an otherwise remorseless onslaught. Untrained ears might shrivel in terror, but those who appreciate the joy of noise will recognise the sound of veteran masters on unassailable form.
