Legendary UK grindcore unit, Napalm Death, who are no strangers to social and political causes, have just released a new song “Earthwire” taken from the band’s latest LP “Apex Predator- Easy Meat” recording sessions although the track was not included on the LP. All proceeds obtained from the track sales will be donated to the current response efforts in Nepal via the dZi Foundation in the wake of the massive Earthquake that struck Nepal in April of this year:
Rescue workers take part in the rescue operation where several houses have collapsed at Vhaktapur district in Nepal 27 April 2015. The death toll from this weekend’s earthquake in Nepal is now at 4,138, reports the country’s Interior Ministry. EPA/ABIR ABDULLAH
Napalm Death frontman Mark “Barney” Greenway commented on the benefit saying:
Having been fortunate to be invited to Kathmandu just over three years ago to play a gig, I remember fondly the unique, enriching experience that it gave us as a band.
When you’re bouncing from continent to continent in short spaces of time, it might be very easy to become complacent to where you process all those continents through the same perceptive filter. I think you owe it those who receive you — and to yourself — to have a deeper sense of understanding.
Nepal, therefore, seemed not only a place of striking beauty, but also a tougher place for things that you would normally take for granted, e.g. a stage to play on and a place for a concert festival. A wider viewing revealed such grim inequalities — in comparison to the wider world — as people living in holes at the side of the road, which then actually became one of the reference points for our current album, ‘Apex Predator – Easy Meat’.
When the earthquake struck on the 25th April 2015, I recalled the general frailty of the buildings in Kathmandu (something which you see on several continents where deprivation makes everyday habitation a very hazardous experience) and could already imagine the consequences — I didn’t necessarily need to view the inevitable volume of TV / internet footage.
Shane [Embury], our bass player, was already thinking of what NAPALM DEATH could do to alleviate things in our own small way and knowing that Bill Gould from FAITH NO MORE had been involved in the region, Shane was kindly directed by him to the DZI. We like the fact that the community has an overriding hand in deciding how to best use resources, and the spirit of independence that the DZI encourages is something that runs in parallel with the ethos of NAPALM DEATH.
We therefore present an exclusive track from the aforementioned album session written by our guitarist, Mitch Harris — to raise funds for the work and resources required through the DZI. The lyrics can be interpreted in several different ways, but to me they signify acknowledging and embracing humanity beyond the relentless march of technology. Perhaps somewhat apt here.
Please give what you can to aid the rebuilding of people’s lives — and bathe in the sonic extremity.
EARTHWIRE download
“Earthwire” costs £3 ($5.88 USD) and can be purchased HERE.
Recommended for you
