Review: Napalm Death, Fibbers, York (From York Press)

Review: Napalm Death, Fibbers, York

11:04am Tuesday 29th November 2011 in Music news and reviews

Napalm Death returned to Fibbers having last played the York venue in April 2010 – and it was just as awesome this time around.

Perhaps not a night for those unused to this particular brand of metal, but this evening rocked like a caveman’s house.

New songs mixed seamlessly with old, the anger and intensity of the music not dimmed by the age and experience of the band, as can sometimes be the case. The usual suspects of Scum and You Suffer sat alongside various offerings from latest album Time Waits For No Slave – Brink Of Extinction being a favourite of this particular punter.

The crowd were totally up for it, with an enthusiastic mosh pit developing as soon as the band took to the stage. Far from being an overly dangerous place, the participants were quick to help anyone up who lost their footing and risked being stood on. This is perhaps a reflection of the social conscious and political drive of the band.

Diatribes against corrupt governments and for world peace were par for the course. “I didn’t expect politics with my thrash metal,” commented one gig-goer. The punk ethics and attitude of the band are also more obvious when you see them live – this is not noise for noise’s sake.

Support band 1000 Scars also displayed an intriguing blend of thrash, punk and grindcore. They reminded me a little of vintage Sepultura, which is no bad thing.

A cracking night and a real treat to see the band again in such an intimate setting.

Review by Jonathan Wilcox