Napalm Death * Fear Emptiness Despair CD

Released in between the grinding fury of 'Utopia Banished' and the moreexperimental, industrial vibes of 'Diatribes', 'Fear Emptiness Despair'is something of a transitional album for Birmingham grindcore pioneersNapalm Death, with the fast-paced blur of their earlier materialbeginning to give way to a sludgier and groovier approach that they'dexplore further on records like 'Inside The Torn Apart' and 'Words FromThe Exit Wounds'. 'Fear Emptiness Despair' shouldn't be overlooked as amere stepping stone, however, as it's still an important part of theband's evolution, and creates a dark, ominous atmosphere that's unlikeanything else in their discography. Threatening mid-paced stompers like'Hung' seemingly owe more to Helmet than they do Siege, proving what aversatile and dynamic band Napalm Death truly are.