Coded Smears and More Uncommon Slurs
Napalm Death · 2018
92 min · 31 tracks · death metal
Relentless grindcore assaults intertwine with intricate melodies, delivering a potent critique of societal norms and human behavior.
Top tracks — play these first
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We Hunt in Packs — This track exemplifies the album's urgent energy and sharp commentary on modern society's predatory dynamics, blending tight riffs with fervent lyrical delivery.
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Oxygen of Duplicity — With its complex structure and thought-provoking lyrics, this song dives deep into themes of hypocrisy and societal manipulation, reflecting the band's mastery of lyrical depth.
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Critical Gluttonous Mass — This track's ferocity captures the essence of consumer culture critique while showcasing the band's signature blend of speed and technicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive sound with intricate lyrics, showcasing Napalm Death's evolution while maintaining their grindcore roots.
What we noticed
- The album features a rapid-fire delivery with most tracks averaging around two minutes, creating a relentless pace.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, shifting from grindcore blasts to slower, more melodic sections.
- Lyrically, the album addresses social issues with dense, complex phrasing that demands attentive listening.
- The final track is an extended piece that contrasts with the preceding brevity, allowing for a moment of reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- relentless energy for workouts
- dynamic flow with peaks
- short bursts of intensity
- cathartic release of frustration
- challenging societal norms
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, tranquil pieces
- seek melodic, soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Coded Smears and More Uncommon Slurs is Napalm Death's sixteenth studio album, marking their continued evolution from grindcore pioneers to influential commentators on social issues. Released in 2018, it follows the band's previous album, Apex Predator - Easy Meat (2015), further solidifying their legacy while pushing their sound into new territories.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carcass· Brutal Truth· Pig Destroyer
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Standardization 2:46
- 2 Oh So Pseudo 2:36
- 3 It Failed to Explode 3:38
- 4 Losers 4:21
- 5 Call That an Option? 3:03
- 6 Caste as Waste 3:06
- 7 We Hunt in Packs 3:49
- 8 Oxygen of Duplicity 3:30
- 9 Paracide 1:39
- 10 Critical Gluttonous Mass 2:26
- 11 Aim Without an Aim 3:04
- 12 An Extract (Strip It Clean) 3:11
- 13 Phonetics for the Stupefied 3:29
- 14 Suppressed Hunger 3:09
- 15 To Go Off and Things 2:29
Disc 2
- 1 Clouds of Cancer / Victims of Ignorance 2:05
- 2 What Is Past Is Prologue 2:56
- 3 Like Piss to a Sting 1:31
- 4 Where the Barren Is Fertile 2:22
- 5 Crash the Pose 1:32
- 6 Earthwire 2:54
- 7 Will by Mouth 1:25
- 8 Everything in Mono 2:48
- 9 Omnipresent Knife in Your Back 5:15
- 10 Lifeline 3:18
- 11 Youth Offender 2:07
- 12 No Impediment to Triumph (Bhopal) 3:01
- 13 Legacy Was Yesterday 2:15
- 14 Outconditioned 2:25
- 15 Atheist Runt 6:07
- 16 Weltschmerz (extended apocalyptic version) 4:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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