Smear Campaign

Released in 2006, Smear Campaign is the twelfth studio album by grindcore pioneers Napalm Death. It serves as a conceptual critique of religious dogma and the 'smear campaigns' used to maintain social hierarchies. Sonically, it continues the band's evolution into a more polished but no less abrasive territory, blending the raw speed of their early work with the mid-tempo death metal grooves and industrial textures explored in the late 90s. A notable feature is the guest appearance of Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering), whose ethereal vocals on 'Weltschmerz' and 'In Deference' provide a rare melodic contrast in their discography. Produced by Russ Russell, the album features a 'wall of sound' approach that emphasizes density over space. Critics from AllMusic and metal.de praised the album for its consistency and the band's ability to remain relevant and vital decades into their career, often citing it as one of the strongest entries in their 21st-century catalog.