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)
Rise Above
Napalm Death Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Minds free from suspicion
Senses raped
Induced with superstition
A pre-set mode
To befit description
Language, color
Inner strength must detect
The love we each possess
Before we may reach
Appreciating it in anyone else
External distinctions
Used as scapegoats to problems
Channeling our aggression
In the wrong direction
Break down the barriers
That enforce superstition
Learn to trust
Overcome suspicion
Acceptance, the weapon
Active against our freedom
Our love and compassion
Held at treason
Rise above induced superstition
The lyrics of Napalm Death’s song Rise Above speak of the destructive effects of superstition, suspicion and prejudice on the human psyche. The song highlights the dangers of labeling people based on their language, color or race, which only reinforces negative stereotypes and leads to harmful discrimination against those who do not fit the prescribed mold. The lines 'At time of birth, Minds free from suspicion, Senses raped, Induced with superstition' suggest that people are born innocent and free from bias but are soon indoctrinated to follow societal norms and prejudices.
The song highlights the importance of inner strength and the ability to recognize love and compassion in oneself and others. The lines 'Inner strength must detect, The love we each possess, Before we may reach, Appreciating it in anyone else' suggest that true acceptance of others can only be achieved through acceptance of oneself. The song urges listeners to break down the barriers of prejudice and superstition and to learn to trust and overcome suspicion, so that love and compassion can flourish. The lines 'Break down the barriers, That enforce superstition, Learn to trust, Overcome suspicion' encourage listeners to actively fight against the forces of discrimination and to stand up for their right to love and be loved.
Overall, Rise Above is a powerful call to action against the harmful effects of prejudice, and a reminder that love and acceptance are the true weapons against oppression and intolerance.
Line by Line Meaning
At time of birth
From the moment of our birth.
Minds free from suspicion
Our minds are free from suspicion and prejudice.
Senses raped
But as we grow, our senses are violated and abused.
Induced with superstition
We are taught superstition and prejudice.
A pre-set mode
We fall into a pattern of behavior.
To befit description
That fits into the predetermined labels we are given.
Language, color
Labels based on language and skin color.
Race definition
Separating us into different races.
Inner strength must detect
We must look inside ourselves.
The love we each possess
To find the love and strength inside each of us.
Before we may reach
In order to appreciate it in others.
External distinctions
Differences between us.
Used as scapegoats to problems
Blamed for problems instead of working towards solutions.
Channeling our aggression
Our anger is directed at the wrong targets.
In the wrong direction
Leading us down the wrong path.
Break down the barriers
We need to tear down the walls that divide us.
That enforce superstition
The walls that uphold superstition and prejudice.
Learn to trust
We need to learn to trust one another.
Overcome suspicion
And overcome our natural suspicion of those who are different.
Acceptance, the weapon
Acceptance is our weapon against prejudice.
Active against our freedom
Prejudice is a threat to our freedom and must be fought.
Our love and compassion
Our love and compassion for others.
Held at treason
Are seen as a betrayal of our own kind.
Rise above induced superstition
We must rise above the superstition and prejudice that was forced upon us.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
YPO6
Groove, blast and D-beat. Mini rock opera.
Xavier Guillen
Kings of Grindcore
Tom King
killer song
Pál Oláh
Brutal song...Lee Dorrian.
POSZUR
Ohh this shit balmy and sassy!
Lord Thorgorath
Hard to believe, but this very same singer'll be fronting the '90s Black Sabbath in a couple of years after this
Information Sniper
Acid Reign+Lee Dorian=Cathedral
Stuart Houston
@Piotr Gadowski ayo🧐
Piotr Gadowski
Yes, it's hard to believe. Black Sabbath should be a support act for Napalm Death.
Eight Coins
is this any way related to te Black Flag song or just the same title?