Two of heavy music's most uncompromising and long-running acts, THE MELVINS and NAPALM DEATH, have officially released their full collaborative studio album, "Savage Imperial Death March", today via Ipecac Recordings. The record is a genuine collaboration — not a split release — featuring all five members writing and recording together as a single unit.
The album was conceived and tracked at THE MELVINS' Los Angeles studio. THE MELVINS contributed Buzz Osborne on vocals and guitar and Dale Crover on drums, while NAPALM DEATH brought vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, and guitarist John Cooke to the sessions.
The resulting eight songs occupy a unique space between the lurching sludge of THE MELVINS and the blast-beat grindcore of NAPALM DEATH, with neither band's identity diluted in the process. The album includes the tracks "Tossing Coins Into The Fountain Of Fuck", "Some Kind Of Antichrist", "Nine Days Of Rain", "Rip The God", and "Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy", among others.
Buzz Osborne was effusive in his praise: "NAPALM DEATH are one of my favorite bands ever. It was an absolute pleasure and a dream come true to do this collaboration." Shane Embury echoed the sentiment: "A chance to make an album of eclectic musical madness with them was truly an honor and a whole lot of fun."
The album takes its name from the two bands' previous co-headlining tours in 2016 and 2025, and is available on CD, digital, and four vinyl variants: Black As Your Soul, Obnoxious Orchid, Absurd Aqua, and Neon Coral. Artwork was created by Mackie Osborne.