Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March
Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March
Ipecac Recordings
Release date: 10/04/2026
Review by Alun Jones
8.5/10
You read that right, Chaos Hounds! The Melvins team up with Napalm Death for a collaborative album. Do I even need to elaborate on who we’re dealing with here? Really? Melvins, proto-Sludge/Grunge alchemists and Napalm Death, equally renowned Grindcore innovators, together on one slab of almighty noise. And it’s a true collaboration, too, not a split – both bands writing and recording together to create a handful of melodic lullabies. Or perhaps not.
On “Savage Imperial Death March” we find Buzz Osborne (vocals/guitar) and Dale Crover (drums) of the mighty Melvins alongside Barney Greenway (vocals), Shane Embury (bass) and guitarist John Cooke of Napalm Death. It’s a fascinating combo, one which immediately begs the questions: how will they work together? How much of the DNA of each band will we get to sample? Or will this be something new and otherwise unexplored?
The answers to those questions are: quite well, thank you. It’s a pretty much joint effort across the board. And finally, no not really – a fan of either (or both) bands should enjoy this album.
Of course we have huge guitar riffery on display, no need to panic there. ‘Tossing Coins into the Fountain of Fuck’ and ‘Some Kind of Antichrist’ successfully complete that part of the brief with vigorous, purposeful glee. ‘Rip the God’ is a ruthless Punk thrasher, whilst ‘Nine Days of Rain’ adds atmosphere and texture not unlike some lost Killing Joke, with tribal drums and chiming guitars.
And then there’s the more, ah… off the beaten track elements. ‘Comparison is the Thief of Joy’ is part beat boxing Dalek, part kitchen utensil percussion and part Opera. The car crusher riff of ‘Death Hour’ dissolves into abstract noise. It’s nice to hear the bands challenging the listener while they have some fun poking the angry grizzly with a pointed stick.
“Savage Imperial Death March” showcases both bands to their best abilities – there are recognisable ingredients of both The Mevlins and Napalm Death. Whilst the weirder excursions may seem a bit more Melvins in their origins, ND manage to stamp their mark all over this release too. This type of collboration is a brave and enjoyable move for both bands, and I hope we see more of it.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Tossing Coins Into The Fountain Of Fuck
02. Some Kind Of Antichrist
03. Awful Handwriting
04. Nine Days Of Rain
05. Rip The God
06. Stealing Horses
07. Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
08. Death Hour
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