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Album Review: The Melvins with Napalm Death, Savage Imperial Death March

 

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Every so often the music world receives a collaboration that may sound senseless or strange on paper, and in even rarer moments, the collaborations turn out to be something spectacular. 


Last year we saw it with AVTT/PTTN, a musical partnership between The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton. This year, however, we see it hailing from the Melvins as they team up with revered death metal act Napalm Death. 


The two bands have embarked on a handful of tours over the last several decades, so it may feel a tad more sensible than the aforementioned LP from last year. Although, sonically speaking, it sounded to me a tad hard to imagine or make good sense of. 


Surprisingly enough, this joining-of-forces has produced for us something rather intriguing and incredibly rad. The marriage of sounds between the two bands is rather impressive, merging their styles perfectly with what feels like natural compromise. 


The filthy blend of riffs and the stark contrast between each band’s respective vocalists make for something absurdly unique and explosive. It’s not gimmicky in any aspect, and can stand alone on its own two legs as one powerhouse release, not overshadowed by the legacy of either band. 


Savage Imperial Death March (Ipecac Recordings) isn’t two bands coming together and competing for one bands influence to dominate the other, but rather a stunning and raw mix of Napalm Death’s death metal angst, and the Melvins’ off kilter grunge power. 


For fans of either bands or newcomers to both, Savage Imperial Death March will be an absolute blast to digest. Get onto your favorite streaming service or snag yourself a physical copy this Friday, April 10 and find out for yourself. 


Favorite Tracks

“Death Hour”

“Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy”


Rating

3.6/5


Get Album 

https://themelvins.lnk.to/savage


Tracklistng

1. Tossing Coins Into The Fountain Of Fuck

2. Some Kind Of Antichrist

3. Awful Handwriting

4. Nine Days Of Rain

5. Rip The God

6. Stealing Horses

7. Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy

8. Death Hour

 

Credits 

Buzz Osborne – vocals, guitar, bass, obscene noises

Shane Embury – vocals, guitar, bass, synth, obscene noises

John Cooke – vocals, guitar, obscene noises

Mark “Barney” Greenway – vocals, obscene noises

Dale Crover – drums, vocals

Special guest: Toshi Kasai – synth, keys, obscene noises

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