Grindcore legends NAPALM DEATH play Montreal’s Club Soda on February 6th with labelmates and Quebec’s own VOIVOD. The UK-based band are about to release their 15th studio album “Apex Predator – Easy Meat” on January 27th via Century Media Records. We managed to catch up with bass player Shane Embury for a quick Q&A..
MR – So you’re currently in Miami rehearsing. Are you prepared for the change in temperature when you get to Canada?
SE – It’s certainly warmer than back home but that’s ok. Our rehearsal room is pretty damn hot though but it’s a nice change! We have been to Canada this time of year before so we know what to expect but it’s still going to be a shock ha!
MR – What are your memories of playing in Montreal?
SE – The first time we played in Montreal was at the Spectrum club with Sepultura in June of 1991 and our merchandise got held up at customs! Our manager had the crazy idea of us putting up a shirt and telling the fans that if they ordered from us we would ship the shirts out to them once we got back into the States! I remember the Sepultura manager saying that it would never work, but in the end i think we ended up getting so many orders and spending the next week or so posting the shirts to people back in Canada… I remember walking around the area and heading to Foufounes Electriques for a beer afterwards and having an incredible time. Montreal is always fun!
MR – You’re playing with Voivod. It’s almost a home town show for them. Are you a fan?
SE – I have loved VoiVod since I bought their War and Pain album in 1984 I think it was. I went to see them play with Possessed in 1986 in London and bumped into them the next day in a famous record shop called Shades the next day after the show but was too shy to say hello so it’s quite surreal to be playing with them all these years later. We have met at various times over the years and chatted but this tour will be cool..
MR – The new album is out just before you reach Montreal. How do you feel it compares to previous Napalm releases?
SE – The new record carries on I think where we left off on Utilitarian. As I continuously write music all the time it’s very hard for me to draw perspective on how different each album may be. I guess it’s more experimental but I have read reviews that say it’s more over the top and grind orientated. The great thing about Napalm is that our fans have many various opinions on our albums so I ultimately leave it to them, but it’s certainly in your face and extreme.
MR – What can you tell us about the title “Apex Predator – Easy Meat”?
SE – Easy Meat reflects the downtrodden people who are forced into cheap labour, who are exploited at every opportunity while the businessmen are the Apex predators. We are told that slave labour doesn’t exist anymore but thats bullshit. It’s here and buried in the media we just don’t get to hear or see about it.
MR – You’re a Dad now. Has that affected your view of the world and, as a result, your songwriting much?
SE – I don’t think it’s affected my song writing but my view on the world has deepened to the extent that I worry even more for our futures or the future of my daughter. The world we live in thrives on media and the sheer speed of information and, whilst that’s informative on one hand, I think more people everywhere are exposed to the tragedy of what’s really happening out there more and it can fester paranoia and a lack of purpose in moving forward with their own lives. The extremity of what’s the norm now is frightening – I’m not sure the world has ever been innocent but what innocence is left is slipping fast..
But I look into my daughter’s eyes and she gives me a great feeling and that’s something really positive so that makes me refocus on what’s possible.
MR – Which new songs are you particularly looking forward to playing live?
SE – I am looking forward to playing a track called “How The Years Condemn” as it has a special meaning for me and is a personal message to myself to get my shit together and not let things fall apart like some of my real close friends have and who are not here anymore. But also other songs such as Stubborn Stains and Smash A Single Digit
MR – Who’s the last new band you discovered that really excited you?
SE – God, this is always a really tough question but our guitar tech from Japan who’s name is George has an excellent band called TURTLE ISLAND who are 14 piece tribal Japanese punk band! They, to me, are very innovative and their live shows are full of energy and positivity which is something cool I think.. not everyone’s cup of tea but I like them a lot.
MR – Any festival plans for the summer yet?
SE – We are starting to fill in dates for the summer which are slow at the moment but are picking up.. I think Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic, maybe Full Force festival in Germany. But I know some we can’t announce yet. We are heading to Bangalore in India in June so that’s going to be a fun thing for us to do. Our first time there..
Napalm Death play Club Soda on February 6th. Support comes from Voivod, Exhumed, Iron Reagan and Black Crown Initiate.
Get tickets HERE
Interview & photos – Steve Gerrard
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