MARK 'BARNEY' GREENWAY On NAPALM DEATH's Sound: 'It's Gotta Have The Noise, The Chaotic Feel'

In a new interview with Japan's Trooper Entertainment, vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway and bassist Shane Embury of British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH spoke about the band's uncompromising musical approach. Shane said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We sort of kind of pride ourselves on the fact that we are what we are. It's simplistic, but the sound that comes out from that simplistic force — I don't know if that's the word to use — is enough for us. I mean, it's what NAPALM DEATH is about, really, musically, I guess, and sonically. It's what we do."

Added Barney: "Yeah, NAPALM has a — it definitely has a lot of characteristics in the music, but the rawness and the simplicity, the bedrock of it, that's what it is. It doesn't require sort of a polishing 'cause it's got to have the raw edges, it's gotta have the noise, the sort of chaotic feel. That's NAPALM DEATH. It has to be that way."

This past October, Embury told Mammoth Metal TV that NAPALM DEATH will "probably" begin work on its next studio album in 2024. Asked about a possible timeline for the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2020's "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism", Shane said: "The last record, we started it musically in two stages, and then Barney took quite a few days to record his vocals, 'cause we were touring. This one, I think we do a tour in February, maybe. That might be happening. And after that, I think Barn wants to take some time off, which will give me the time to sort of put… I've got lots of ideas; [I just need] to piece it together. And hopefully go into the studio and just kind of experiment."

In February 2022, NAPALM DEATH released a new mini-album, "Resentment Is Always Seismic - A Final Throw Of Throes", via Century Media Records.

"Resentment Is Always Seismic – A Final Throw Of Throes" is a partner recording to "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism", concluding matters through vital, tumultuous grindcore and shockwave ambience.

The eight-song "Resentment Is Always Seismic – A Final Throw Of Throes" comes with a total playing time of 29 minutes and is available as a limited CD digipak, vinyl as well as in the digital album format.

"Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism" came out in September 2020 via Century Media Records. The band's 16th studio LP was recorded with longtime producer Russ Russell and features artwork by Frode Sylthe.

Embury released his autobiography, "Life?… And Napalm Death", in October via Rocket 88, an imprint of the established British book production company Essential Works.

Largely misunderstood and widely mocked in their early days, NAPALM DEATH nonetheless became the benchmark for uncompromising extremity, as well as a political force for good. Dismissed by many as a ridiculous noise, NAPALM DEATH became the credible face of extreme art rock, beloved of John Peel, NME cover stars and indie music darlings. Embury's debut studio release with the band, 1988's "From Enslavement To Obliteration", remains a seminal work of raging sonic violence coupled with ultra-credible punk critiques of corrupt politics, capitalist opportunism and societal collapse. The record remains as revered today as it ever was.