FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On October 26, 1998, U.K. Death/Grind band Napalm Death released their eighth studio album Words From The Exit Wound via Earache Records.
It was issued only on CD. It is considered the final album of the band's "experimental" period, while simultaneously foreshadowing the band's return to a more traditional Death Metal and Grindcore sound.
Background:
The album was their last to be produced by Colin Richardson, who Shane Embury believes hindered the album's creation, ultimately affecting the album's success. Embury has stated that bands such as Nasum influenced the album, and in Embury's view, this album represented a turning point in the band's sound, stating "it was also a turning point in us moving towards rediscovering our roots." Embury also mentioned that following the album's release, the band found it hard to tour due to restricted budgets from their record label, but Cradle of Filth and Nick Barker were able to alleviate this problem.
Critical Reception:
Ian Christe of CMJ New Music Monthly praised the producer's work: "Richardson does an even more fantastic job than usual of presenting the musical subtlety and cleverness of compositions that could easily be lost behind an enormous wall of noise." About the singer he said: "Greenway assists more than usual, by stretching his voracious vocal scorch across a new range of tones."
In a review for AllMusic, Alex Henderson stated;
“Over the years, Napalm Death went through more than their share of personnel changes and infighting. The late '90s saw Napalm fire lead singer Mark "Barney" Greenway (who had joined in 1989) and hire Phil Vane as a replacement -- only to end up parting company with Vane and asking Greenway to come back. You would think that so much infighting would have had a negative impact on the band creatively, but in fact, Napalm sound fairly inspired on Words From the Exit Wound. With a lineup that includes Greenway on vocals, Mitch Harris and Jesse Pintado on guitar, Shane Embury on bass, and Danny Herrera on drums, the Grindcore/Death Metal band is certainly focused on brutally heavy, blistering offerings like Devouring Depraved, Clutching at Barbs, and Cleanse Impure. This CD isn't a radical departure from 1997's Inside the Torn Apart or 1998's Breed to Breathe, although it would be wrong to think of Napalm as stagnant. In the '90s, Napalm evolved gradually, incorporating touches of industrial music and alternative rock. Words doesn't quite fall under the heading of "essential," but longtime Napalm followers will be glad to hear how good the band continued to sound after 15 years.”
While in a review for Chronicles of Chaos, Adrian Bromley wrote; “It only seems right for the band that helped begin (or at least lay the groundwork) for all of this genre moulding metal to have a solid release as this century comes to a close. Had this been a bummer of a record, I think I would have given up on Napalm Death. But my Metal friends, Words From the Exit Wound is quite the piece of work, so there is no need to panic. Much in the vein of the brilliantly crushing last effort (1997's Inside the Torn Apart), Napalm Death has once again upheaved their sound to much stronger and precision oriented numbers, relying heavily on slight melodies and pure punishing rhythms. Singer Barney Greenway's vocals are in top form too, lashing out a vindictive tongue of musical mayhem with each and every breathe. It's stunning to see that through all the metal meldings and style changes that have shaped metal over the years, Napalm Death still adhere to their principle song writing structure and stay sounding like Napalm Death. Can you imagine Napalm Death showcasing Black Metal or Gothic Rock tendencies? Eek! While not as potent as Inside the Torn Apart, Napalm Death serve up plenty of action here (i.e., Next of Kin to Chaos, Ulterior Exterior" and Clutching at Barbs). I saw them live a month or so back and they ruled. The new stuff carried off well live.”
Note:
The band acrimoniously departed from Earache Records following Words from the Exit Wound and later released Enemy of the Music Business on the record label, Dream Catcher, on September 25, 2000; which showed the band's anger with the music industry and especially with Earache, whilst also incorporating a greater Grindcore influence than on their previous few albums. The album was produced jointly by Simon Efemey and Russ Russell, the latter of whom has since been a long-time collaborator with Napalm Death.
Rest In Peace, Jesus "Jesse" Ernesto Pintado Andrade (July 12, 1969 – August 27, 2006)
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
Comments