Introductions are not necessary for a band such as NAPALM DEATH – the undisputed kings of the grindcore/death metal world! They have toured the world over numerous times and have played in every country that would grant them entry; delivering their music to the masses with an in-your-face brutal sound that is laden with political, ethical and moral messages for more than 30 years. I spoke with Mark “Barney” Greenway (lead singer) about their tour, NAPALM DEATH’s fifteenth (not counting the cover-platter “Leaders…Part 2”) and newest album Utilitarian and why they would like to play in Kazakhstan…

The Interview

Connor/RR: You’ve just finished the first leg of your tour in support of your latest album Utilitarian. How did it go?

Barney/NP: Yeah, it went well. We only did the four dates but it’s been a blast, really. The crowds were brilliant, especially in Bath and Colchester – they were brilliant! So after those amazing gigs, we set off to America. We are really looking forward to it!

Connor/RR: When you’re on tour, do you find a difference between UK crowds and US crowds?

Barney/NP: Yeah, well you know, we’ve toured around the world and you can always find differences in every crowd. What you need to consider is that a crowd is a crowd no matter what, whether its completely packed or empty. We love wherever we play, so it doesn’t really matter as long as we have a good time playing.

Connor/RR: Going onto your latest album, what are your thoughts on the album being part of the NAPALM DEATH family?

Barney/NP: Yeah, I’m quite proud of it. The thing you have to consider about NAPALM DEATH is that no two albums sound the same, which is what makes this album unique. Whilst we stick to the same aggressive tone that fans are used to, we also have added other technical elements in it to make it stand out. It’s still a rock album, but it’s something we do to it to make it fresh, so yeah, I’m pleased with it overall.

Connor/RR: When you say that “No two releases sound the same, which is what makes this album unique” is there something unusually distinct about the album that differs it from previous NAPALM DEATH releases?

Barney/NP: Well, no! Really, it still has everything that our fans are familiar with, but it’s just something new. We just incorporate a load of new things to see if they’ll work and it did – so it did.

Connor/RR: What can we expect to hear from you guys in the future?

Barney/NP: Well, we haven’t got many plans up yet due to the current release, you know? (laughs) Being a band that loves touring, there are some places around the world we haven’t had the chance to tour to yet, so that’s something we’ve got in the works. Everything else really is just a bit of a mystery, so we’ll have them soon enough. (laughs)

INTERVIEW: FUTURE LEADERS OF THE WORLD

Connor/RR: Where would you like to play in the world where you haven’t played before?

Barney/NP: There are loads of places we want to go, but one place where we especially want to play is Kazakhstan. It’s currently being check into through a friend of a friend of ours because – correct me if I’m wrong – no bands as big as us have played there before. Having that opportunity will be brilliant, to be the first band of our nature to play there, you know?

Connor/RR: Absolutely! It’s been a pleasure talking to you, Barney. Thanks for the interview,

Barney/NP: Yeah, you too man! Hope to catch you at one of our shows soon.

Connor Williams – Contributing Writer with RockRevolt™ Magazine

Photograph~ Cindy Frey (Courtesy of Century Media PR)

CHECK OUT NAPALM DEATH’S BADASS TOUR SHIRTS!

NAPALM DEATH tour dates feat. MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED
with VEKTOR
Oct 26–Springfield, VA–Empire
Oct 27–New York, NY–Gramercy Theater
Oct 28–New London, CT–El N Gee
Oct 29–Boston, MA–Middle East
Oct 31–Montreal, QC–Les Foufounes Electriques
Nov 1–Toronto, ON–The Opera House
Nov 2–Austin, TX–Fun Fun Fun Fest**
Nov 3–Chicago, IL–Reggie’s***
Nov 4–St Paul, MN–Station-4*
with DAYGLO ABORTIONS
Nov 5–Winnipeg, MB–Osborne Village Inn
Nov 6–Regina, SK–Riddell Centre
Nov 7–Edmonton, AB–The Pawn Shop
Nov 9–Vancouver, BC–Rickshaw Theater
with ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Nov 10–Seattle, WA–Showbox SODO with GWAR, DEVILDRIVER, CANCER BATS, MARTHA SPLATTERHEAD’S REVENGE, LEGACY OF DISORDER
Nov 11–Portland, OR–Hawthorne Theater
Nov 12–Oakland, CA–Oakland Metro
Nov 13–Santa Ana, CA-Observatory with REPULSION
Nov 14–Hollywood, CA–House Of Blues with DWARVES
Nov 16–Tempe, AZ–Rocky Point Cantina
Nov 17–El Paso, TX–House Of Rock*
with SPEEDWOLF
Nov 18–Ft Worth, TX–Rail Club***
Nov 20–Nashville, TN–Exit In
Nov 21–Lexington, KY–Buster’s
Nov 23–Richmond, VA–Kingdom
Nov 24–Charlotte, NC–The Casbah
Nov 25–Knoxville, TN–The Valarium
Nov 26–Birmingham, AL–Zydeco
Nov 27–New Orleans, LA-Siberia
Nov 29–Jacksonville, FL–Brewster’s Roc Bar
Nov 30–Atlanta, GA–Terminal West
Dec 1–Tampa, FL–Orpheum Theater
Dec 2–Miami, FL–Grand Central, Barge To Hell Pre-Party**
Dec 3-7–Barge To Hell**

* = NAPALM DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EXHUMED only
** = NAPALM DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE only
*** = NAPALM DEATH, EXHUMED only

For more information about NAPALM DEATH, please check out:

http://www.napalmdeath.org

http://www.facebook.com/officialnapalmdeath

http://www.myspace.com/napalmdeath

http://www.twitter.com/NAPALM_DEATH