Napalm Death: The Code Is Red…Long Live the Code (2005)

Napalm Death’s 2005 album, “The Code Is Red…Long Live the Code,” is a politically charged grindcore record featuring guest appearances from notable musicians like Jello Biafra and Jamey Jasta. The album delves into themes of political corruption, social injustice, and environmental destruction. Incorporating elements of death metal, punk, and industrial music, it showcases the band’s evolution within the grindcore genre while maintaining their signature intensity.

Track Listing

Silence Is Deafening
Right You Are
Diplomatic Immunity
The Code Is Red… Long Live the Code
Climate Controllers
Instruments of Persuasion
The Great and the Good
Sold Short
All Hail the Grey Dawn
Vegetative State
Pay for the Privilege of Breathing
Pledge Yourself to You
Striding Purposefully Backwards
Morale
Our Pain Is Their Power

Length: 45:13

Genre

Death metal, grindcore

Release Date

April 25th, 2005

Record Label

Century Media Records

The Lineup for the Album

Mark “Barney” Greenway: vocals
Mitch Harris: lead guitar, backing vocals
Shane Embury: bass, backing vocals, rhythm guitar (on “Morale”)
Danny Herrera: drums

Recording Date

September 21st – October 13th, 2004

Recording Studio

Foel Studio (Llanfair Caereinion, Wales)

Produced by

Russ Russell

Album Themes/Concept

Political corruption and abuse of power: The album rails against corrupt politicians, warmongers, and the erosion of civil liberties.

Environmental destruction: Songs like “Climate Controllers” criticize the exploitation of the planet and warn of the consequences of inaction.

Social inequality and oppression: Napalm Death calls out racism, xenophobia, and the marginalization of vulnerable groups.

War and violence: The album condemns the horrors of war and the cycle of violence it perpetuates.

Personal struggles and resilience: While primarily focused on social and political issues, the album also touches on themes of personal resilience and the importance of fighting for what you believe in.

Album Mood

Angry and Aggressive: The music is fast, heavy, and uncompromising, reflecting the band’s fury at the state of the world.The vocals are harsh and guttural, expressing disgust and defiance.

Intense and Chaotic: The songs are often unpredictable, with sudden shifts in tempo and style. This mirrors the chaos and uncertainty of the issues being addressed in the lyrics.

Urgent and Confrontational: The album is a call to action, urging listeners to wake up to the injustices around them and fight back. There is a sense of urgency and desperation in the music, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Bleak but Hopeful: Despite the dark and pessimistic themes, there is a glimmer of hope in the album’s message of resistance and resilience. The final track, “An Excuse to Die,” ends with a defiant declaration that the struggle will continue.

Album Trivia

Guest Appearances: The album features some notable collaborations with guest vocalists from different metal subgenres, which adds a unique flavor to several tracks. Jello Biafra from Dead Kennedys appears on “The Great and the Good,” Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed contributes to “Instruments of Persuasion” and “Sold Short,” and Jeffrey Walker from Carcass joins in on “Pledge Yourself to You”.

Experimental Track: The track “Morale” features Shane Embury (usually the bassist) playing rhythm guitar instead of bass, adding an interesting twist to the band’s usual sound.

Critical Acclaim and Induction: “The Code Is Red… Long Live the Code” received widespread acclaim for bringing back the band’s classic aggressive style. It was so well-regarded that it was inducted into the Decibel Magazine Hall of Fame, highlighting its significance in the grindcore genre.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

Crave intensity: You thrive on fast, aggressive, and intense music.
Embrace extreme metal: You’re a fan of grindcore, death metal, or other extreme metal subgenres.
Seek social commentary: You appreciate politically charged and socially conscious lyrics.
Enjoy collaborations: You enjoy hearing guest vocalists from other bands.
Welcome experimentation: You’re open to some experimentation within the grindcore genre.
Prefer raw energy: You like a raw and unpolished sound.
Explore Napalm Death’s evolution: You want to explore Napalm Death’s discography beyond their early work.

You might want to pass this one if you…

Prefer melodic tunes: You favor slower, more melodic music.
Dislike harsh sounds: You’re not a fan of harsh vocals or blast beats.
Avoid political themes: You dislike politically charged music.
Favor polished production: You prefer a more polished and produced sound.
Seek pure grindcore: You’re looking for a purely traditional grindcore album without any experimentation.

Release Date

April 25, 2005

Napalm Death Albums

Scum (1987)

Napalm Death’s debut album “Scum” (1987) is a landmark in extreme metal, laying the groundwork for grindcore with its raw energy, relentless aggression, and socio-political lyrics.

From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988)

Napalm Death’s “From Enslavement to Obliteration” (1988) is an unrestrained sonic assault on societal ills and environmental destruction.
The album’s unrelenting grindcore sound perfectly mirrors its bleak lyrical themes, creating an intense and visceral listening experience.

Harmony Corruption (1990)

Napalm Death’s Harmony Corruption (1990) is a brutal fusion of death metal and grindcore. Known for its intense sound and angry socio-political lyrics, it remains a classic of extreme metal.

Utopia Banished (1992)

Napalm Death’s fourth studio album, Utopia Banished (1992), marked Danny Herrera’s debut as drummer. Known for its intense sound and socio-political lyrics, it remains a landmark release in death metal/grindcore.

Fear, Emptiness, Despair (1994)

Napalm Death’s “Fear, Emptiness, Despair” (1994) incorporated groove metal and industrial elements,
marking a departure from their grindcore sound. The album features slower tempos, complex structures, and lyrics exploring societal issues and nihilism.

Diatribes (1996)

Napalm Death’s 1996 album “Diatribes” marks a shift from grindcore to groove metal and industrial sounds. Addressing social and political issues, it divided fans with its experimental approach.

Inside the Torn Apart (1997)

Napalm Death’s “Inside the Torn Apart” (1997) is a departure from their typical grindcore sound,
featuring slower tempos and industrial influences. The album explores introspective and existential themes, deviating from the band’s usual political commentary.

Words from the Exit Wound (1998)

Released in 1998 on Earache Records, Napalm Death’s “Words from the Exit Wound” blends grindcore with death metal and experimental elements across twelve socio-political tracks.

Enemy of the Music Business (2000)

Napalm Death’s “Enemy of the Music Business” (2000) is a grindcore album with 13 politically charged songs. It criticizes the music industry and marks a return to the band’s more extreme style.

Order of the Leech (2002)

Napalm Death’s “Order of the Leech” (2002) is a grindcore/death metal album with aggressive instrumentation and politically charged lyrics. The album explores themes of social injustice, political corruption, and personal struggles.

Leaders Not Followers – Part 2 (2004)

Napalm Death’s “Leaders Not Followers: Part 2” (2004) is a cover album featuring raw and aggressive renditions of punk, hardcore, and metal songs. Recorded at Robannas Studios and produced by Russ Russell, it serves as a tribute to the band’s musical roots.

The Code Is Red…Long Live the Code (2005)

Napalm Death’s eleventh studio album, “The Code Is Red…Long Live the Code” (2005), is a politically charged grindcore release featuring guest vocals from Jello Biafra and Jamey Jasta. The album explores themes of corruption, injustice, and environmental issues, blending elements of death metal, punk, and industrial music.

Smear Campaign (2006)

Napalm Death’s “Smear Campaign” (2006) is a grindcore album with political themes, addressing war, violence, corruption, and injustice. It features guest vocals by Anneke van Giersbergen and was produced by Russ Russell.

Time Waits for No Slave (2009)

Napalm Death’s “Time Waits for No Slave” (2009) is a grindcore album with experimental elements, showcasing both melodic vocals and complex song structures. It addresses sociopolitical themes and personal empowerment.

Utilitarian (2012)

Napalm Death’s “Utilitarian” (2012) is a grindcore/death metal album tackling themes of societal corruption, inequality, and ethical dilemmas. Its intense music and thought-provoking lyrics challenge listeners to confront uncomfortable truths.

Apex Predator – Easy Meat (2015)

Napalm Death’s 15th studio album, “Apex Predator – Easy Meat” (2015), addresses themes of modern slavery and exploitation through a mix of grindcore, industrial, and experimental sounds. Key tracks like “Smash a Single Digit” and “Dear Slum Landlord” criticize consumerism and corporate greed.

Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism (2020)

Napalm Death’s sixteenth studio album, “Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism” (2020), is a blend of grindcore, crust punk, industrial, and post-punk. The album’s lyrics address social injustice and resistance against oppression.