The band is recognized as pioneers of the grindcore genre, blending elements of crust punk and death metal. They are known for their noise-filled sound, characterized by distorted, down-tuned guitars, grinding overdrive bass, high-speed tempo, blast beats, and vocals consisting of incomprehensible growls or high-pitched shrieks. Their songs are exceptionally short, often featuring sociopolitical lyrics. Napalm Death gained substantial influence in the global metal community with the release of their debut album "Scum" in 1987, which was issued by Earache Records. Notably, their track "You Suffer" holds the Guinness World Record for the shortest recorded song, lasting a mere 1.316 seconds.
Over the years, Napalm Death has released sixteen studio albums and is recognized by Nielsen SoundScan as the seventh-best-selling death metal band in the United States.
Studio albums
Scum (1987)
From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988)
Harmony Corruption (1990)
Utopia Banished (1992)
Fear, Emptiness, Despair (1994)
Diatribes (1996)
Inside the Torn Apart (1997)
Words from the Exit Wound (1998)
Enemy of the Music Business (2000)
Order of the Leech (2002)
The Code Is Red...Long Live the Code (2005)
Smear Campaign (2006)
Time Waits for No Slave (2009)
Utilitarian (2012)
Apex Predator - Easy Meat (2015)
Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism (2020)
I Abstain
Napalm Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summon my pride? What pride lies behind blinkered eyes?
Your vigilance is shit!
"The lads together" - you'll fall!
Smug complacency, notions of reserving the right to think with your =
Fists.
I abstain from this mundane apathy.
Committed to "all for red, white and blue" in effect you're fighting =
"Grit those teeth, push out those chests" tears only for the flag.
Always the brave patriot as you slip to second class.
But you stand steadyfast?
People are not subjects, why should the few get more respect?
Open your eyes!
Imperialism feeds off you, not patrons but patronized.
Open your eyes!
They're shaping you - you're trapped with "pomp and circumstance"
Lose your discretion.
Soon, you'll not fall from grace endorse their rhetoric you fade, =
They prosper.
They're shaping you - you're trapped with "pomp and circumstance"
Lose your discretion.
Soon, you'll not fall from grace endorse their rhetoric you fade, =
They prosper.
I abstain!
Don't be a colonial slave.
Don't substantiate the act.
The lyrics of "I Abstain" by Napalm Death express the concept of rising above the mundane complacency and apathy that many people exhibit toward the world around them. The opening line "I abstain!" sets the tone for the rest of the song, serving as a strong statement of non-participation in the status quo. The song then goes on to describe how people often get caught up in nationalistic fervor and blindly support the actions of their governments, without any real understanding of the underlying issues.
The second line "Summon my pride? What pride lies behind blinkered eyes?" is aimed at those who profess to have pride in their country, but fail to see the reality of its actions. The lyrics also criticize the blind adherence to patriotic ideals, as exemplified in the line "Committed to 'all for red, white and blue' in effect you're fighting for what's really fighting you." The song points out the hypocrisy of those who "Grit those teeth, push out those chests" in support of their country, but only shed "tears only for the flag."
Ultimately, "I Abstain" is a call to action, urging listeners to open their eyes to the reality of the world around them and to reject blind adherence to nationalism, patriotism, and imperialism. The song suggests that true freedom and liberation can only be achieved by breaking free of the mental chains that bind people to old and outdated ways of thinking and behaving.
Line by Line Meaning
I abstain!
I refuse to participate in this.
Summon my pride? What pride lies behind blinkered eyes?
You ask me to show my pride, but what pride can there be when you are closed-minded?
Your vigilance is shit!
Your effort to be vigilant is worthless.
"The lads together" - you'll fall!
The idea of โโtoughness will only cause failure.
Smug complacency, notions of reserving the right to think with your fists.
The belief that you can only think with violence is an unfortunate complacency.
I abstain from this mundane apathy.
I will not join the complacent group that ignores the world's issues.
Committed to "all for red, white and blue" in effect you're fighting for what's really fighting you.
Those who fight for nationalistic beliefs often fight against their own interests, in reality.
"Grit those teeth, push out those chests" tears only for the flag.
The tough exterior is only a faรงade and there is actually no emotional depth to the belief in nationalism.
Always the brave patriot as you slip to second class.
Those who blindly follow the nationalistic cause often find themselves at a disadvantage in the long run.
But you stand steadyfast?
Is it really worth it to stay the course and continue to support this belief system?
People are not subjects, why should the few get more respect?
All individuals deserve respect and not just those in power.
Open your eyes!
Wake up and see the truth.
Imperialism feeds off you, not patrons but patronized.
Imperialism takes advantage of the common people, not the powerful.
They're shaping you - you're trapped with "pomp and circumstance". Lose your discretion.
The powers that be manipulate you with meaningless ceremony and it's important to see through it.
Soon, you'll not fall from grace endorse their rhetoric you fade, They prosper.
If you continue to blindly follow the nationalistic cause, you will slowly fade away, while the powerful continue to benefit from your actions.
Don't be a colonial slave.
Do not allow yourself to become a slave to a colonial power.
Don't substantiate the act.
Do not give legitimacy to actions that are immoral or unjust.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Incruento
I abstain!
Summon my pride?
What? Pride behind your blinkered eyes?
Your vigilance is shit
"The lads together" - you fall!
Smug complacency,
Notions of reserving the right to think with your fists,
I abstain from this mundane apathy.
Commited to "All for red, white and blue"
In effect you're fighting for what's really fighting you.
"Grit those teeth, push out those chests"
Tears only for the flag,
Always the brave patriot as you slip to second class.
But you stand stead fast?
People are not subjects,
Why should the few get more respect?
Open your eyes!
Imperialism feeds off you,
Not patrons but patronised,
Open your eyes!
They're shaping you - you're trapped with 'pomp and
circumstance'
Lose your discretion,
Sodom, you'll not fall from grace
Endorse their rhetoric
You fade, they prosper.
I abstain!
Don't be a colonial slave,
Don't substantiate the act.
Morbid Girl
I abstain!
Summon my pride? What pride lies behind blinkered eyes?
Your vigilance is shit!
"The lads together" - you'll fall!
Smug complacency, notions of reserving the right to think with your fists.
I abstain from this mundane apathy.
Committed to "all for red, white and blue" in effect you're fighting
for what's really fighting you.
"Grit those teeth, push out those chests" tears only for the flag.
Always the brave patriot as you slip to second class.
But you stand steadyfast?
People are not subjects, why should the few get more respect?
Open your eyes!
Imperialism feeds off you, not patrons but patronized.
Open your eyes!
They're shaping you - you're trapped with "pomp and circumstance"
Lose your discretion.
Soon, you'll not fall from grace endorse their rhetoric you fade,
they prosper.
They're shaping you - you're trapped with "pomp and circumstance"
Lose your discretion.
Soon, you'll not fall from grace endorse their rhetoric you fade,
they prosper.
I abstain!
Don't be a colonial slave.
Don't substantiate the act!
Shawn Efurd
The band that defines grindcore.
ล andor Hartig
And went beyond!!!
Beanmachine91
Righteous pigs too lol
Blรฆh! No
First metal cd bought with earned cash. 1992 was good times
Incruento
I abstain!
Summon my pride?
What? Pride behind your blinkered eyes?
Your vigilance is shit
"The lads together" - you fall!
Smug complacency,
Notions of reserving the right to think with your fists,
I abstain from this mundane apathy.
Commited to "All for red, white and blue"
In effect you're fighting for what's really fighting you.
"Grit those teeth, push out those chests"
Tears only for the flag,
Always the brave patriot as you slip to second class.
But you stand stead fast?
People are not subjects,
Why should the few get more respect?
Open your eyes!
Imperialism feeds off you,
Not patrons but patronised,
Open your eyes!
They're shaping you - you're trapped with 'pomp and
circumstance'
Lose your discretion,
Sodom, you'll not fall from grace
Endorse their rhetoric
You fade, they prosper.
I abstain!
Don't be a colonial slave,
Don't substantiate the act.
screenfixer
Thank you
Grazie per il testo ๐๐ป
Phil Macoc
Thank you my friend!!! ๐
SCALP
MASTERPIECE !
Beanmachine91
the lyrics send a good message
O qualquer
This is their most brutal album, and no one can contest my fact.