Napalm Death
Punishment In Capitals

THE REVIEW

Napalm Death are playing at home in this concert; in fact, it's recorded in April 2002 in London. And they're still five, pounding hard on their instruments, with the presence of the late guitarist Jesse Pintado and his dissonant solos.

Twenty-eight earth-shattering tracks for just over an hour: the godfathers of Grindcore prove, if anyone still needed proof, that they have no rivals when they step on the accelerator, as in most of the songs that make up this monstrously intense live performance.

It's Shane's grinding bass that kicks off the hostilities: immediately followed by Danny's hyper-paced drumming, Mark's abyssal growl, and the imposing work of the two guitars of the Jesse - Mitch duo. "Lucid Fairytale" and "Take The Prison" have the duty of introducing us to their world: a disproportionate, violent sound wall that cuts you in half from the start.

Not even a moment to breathe, and here comes "Suffer The Children" played with even more vehemence and speed compared to the version recorded in the studio; everything is aimed at causing harm, at shredding the audience's eardrums. With sound quality not even too refined: they don't care about technicalities and cleanliness. They have something else in mind, and they fully succeed.

Finally, a brief moment of respite with the "commercial (to be taken with due caution) "Breed To Breathe"; but it's just an illusion because immediately after, they return to levels of ferocity with few equals in the extreme field. A deadly trifecta: "Scum," "Life," "The Kill" taken from their first album composed in the late eighties. A lava flow with pachydermic movements so mighty and destructive.

"You Suffer" cannot be missed, which lasts exactly TWO SECONDS (the time necessary for Barney to scream "You Suffer - But Why?" while the instruments are violently assaulted in equal measure). No need to spend more words on this brutal "embroidery."

We are at the end with the Dead Kennedys' cover "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" that sends chills just for Mitch's psychotic screams that counterpoint Mark's growl. A demonstration of strength, cohesion, and integrity that continues for over thirty years.

This is Napalm Death. There are no half measures: take it or move on. I'll leave the decision to you, I've already made mine.

Jesse Pintado (1969 - 2006): R.I.P. Amigos.

Ad Maiora.