Napalm Death – Fear Emptiness Despair

Released in between the grinding fury of ‘Utopia Banished’ and the more experimental, industrial vibes of ‘Diatribes’, ‘Fear Emptiness Despair’ is something of a transitional album for Birmingham grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, with the fast-paced blur of their earlier material beginning to give way to a sludgier and groovier approach that they’d explore further on records like ‘Inside The Torn Apart’ and ‘Words From The Exit Wounds’. ‘Fear Emptiness Despair’ shouldn’t be overlooked as a mere stepping stone, however, as it’s still an important part of the band’s evolution, and creates a dark, ominous atmosphere that’s unlike anything else in their discography. Threatening mid-paced stompers like ‘Hung’ seemingly owe more to Helmet than they do Siege, proving what a versatile and dynamic band Napalm Death truly are.