Through The Lens: Napalm Death / Dropdead / Siberian Meat Grinder / Escuela Grind @ Club Academy, Manchester, 18th March 2023

A night of politically charged grindcore, hardcore, crust and punk was in order for a cold and wet, with threats of snow, Wednesday night in Manchester, or in other words, I headed down to Club Academy to catch the Campaign For Musical Destruction Tour 2023 with Napalm Death, Dropdead, Siberian Meat Grinder and Escuela Grind.

And what a night it was too, which started off on the wrong foot when my photo pass wasn’t noted down at the ticket office, so thanks go to Ben and John for sorting it out swiftly, then once in the venue, Escuela Grind were already halfway through their ripping set of manic grindcore with a splattering of brutal death metal.

Not a great deal was known about Siberian Meat Grinder, but they belted out an infectious set of nasty thrash and hardcore, then it was time for Dropdead. A band I’ve had a long-time love affair with, and it’s been around twenty long years since I last witnessed them destroy the 1in12 Club in Bradford, and they did not disappoint with their ferocious hardcore punk. During their set, someone chucked a Hunt Saboteurs Association flag onto the stage, which vocalist Bob Otis proudly displayed to a welcoming cheer.

Then it was time for Napalm Death, as readers probably know, vocalist Barney Greenway broke his ankle on stage in Munich the other week, but being stalwarts to the scene, cancelling was never an option, so with his leg in plaster and playing the entire set sat down, the show still went on. Sadly, Shane Embury did have to cancel, so bass duties were taken care of by Matt Sheridan, who also stood in on guitar for Siberian Meat Grinder, and it has to be said, a sterling job he did too. Now check out the photos from the night below…

Escuela Grind

Siberian Meat Grinder

Dropdead

Napalm Death

Photos by: Lee Edwards