Napalm Death - Throes of Joy in The Jaws of Defeatism (2020)

 

Previous two Napalm Death albums (Utilitarian and Apex Predator) were excellent, as well as the EP Logic Ravaged By Brute Force, so I had big expectations for this new Napalm Death album. But Throes of Joy in The Jaws of Defeatism is even better than what I expected. More than 30 years after their beginning not only they play as fast as ever, like in the opening track, but they also keep on reshaping the style they created (with a few others) a long time ago, this time mostly with post-punk/industrial atmospheres, a bit like they did in the EP (and in the 90' but in a different way). Plenty of memorable tracks on this album (Fuck The Factoid, Joie de ne pas vivre, Invigorating Clutch, Amoral, Acting in Gouged Faith) with a lot of diversity (different speed, different feels, etc.). Barney is doing an especially good job with his vocals, and the other guys are super tight. Throes of Joy in The Jaws of Defeatism is bound to be not only one of the best grindcore albums (maybe THE best) for 2020, but also one of the best albums of the year all styles considered. Like good wine or whisky, Napalm Death only gets better with time and this new album is an impressive proof of that. Is this a review or a love letter to the band? Let's say it's both.

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