Friday, January 1, 2021

January 1st, 2021 - Throes Of [Jubelale] In The Jaws Of [2020] Defeatism


 


Good afternoon and happy New Year!  Your pal the Meista here pairing the amazing "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism", the most recent album by grindcore giants Napalm Death and a festive and tasty Jubelale from Deschutes Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!


Album Info: 

  • Artist: Napalm Death
  • Title: "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism"
  • Recorded: August 2017 through April 2020 at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England
  • Release date: September 18th, 2020 (16th studio album by Napalm Death)
  • Record company: Century Media 
  • Production: Russ Russell
  • Album cover art: Frode Sundbø Sylthe (artwork and layout) and Gobinder Jhitta (photography)
  • Personnel: Shane Embury (bass, guitars, backing vocals, and noises), Barney Greenway (lead vocals), Mitch Harris (guitars), and Danny Herrera (drums)
  • Additional musicians: John Cooke (guitars on "White Kross" and "Blissful Myth") and Russ Russell (noises) 
  • Musical style: Grindcore, death metal with elements of post punk, avant garde art rock/noise rock, and even a little progressive black metal(?)
    Sound: Blending several styles, "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism" has a more progressive and eclectic sound that previous recent works.  It includes the fiery fast sonic attacks with insane, high-tempo blast beats, heavily distorted and down-tuned guitars, and grinding bass ND is known for, but it also includes slower, more progressive and "artsy" pieces.  I think this may be the best album in recent years.  I keep coming back to it! 
  • Major themes: Socio-politically charged and angry as hell, themes on the album include dishonesty, unrest, corruption, greed, anger, violence, hate, bigotry, hypocrisy, etc.
  • Tracks:  
  1. "Fuck The Factoid"
  2. "Backlash Just Because"
  3. "The Curse Of Being In Thrall"
  4. "Contagion"
  5. "Joie de Ne Pas Vivre"
  6. "Invigorating Clutch"
  7. "Zero Gravitas Chamber"
  8. "Fluxing Of The Muscle"
  9. "Amoral"
  10. "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism"
  11. "Acting In Gouged Faith"
  12. "A Bellyful of Salt And Spleen"
  13. "White Kross"
  14. "Blissful Myth"


Brew Info:

  • Brewery: Deschutes Brewing Company (Bend, Oregon)
  • Website: http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
  • Brew: Jubelale, A Festive Winter Ale
  • Style: Winter Warmer
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 6.7%
  • IBUs: 65
  • Ingredients: Bravo, Cascade, Delta, Us Tettnang, and East Kent Goldings hops; malts: Pale, Crystal, Extra Special, Carapils, and Roasted Barley 
  • Pour: The Jubelale pours a very deep and cloudy garnet hue with a light-tan, half-finger head with good retention that leaves chunky lacing behind.
  • Nose: The nose is malty, sweet, and spicy.  Lots of nutmeg, cloves,  and bready aromas with this one along with some nice herbal and toffee notes. 
  • Taste: The flavor is rich and earthy with notes of chicory, light roasted coffee, fruit ester, and chewy malt.  There are notes of caramel/toffee and fresh bread that give way to black tea and spices.  There are also some really nice dark fruit (prunes and raisins) notes throughout.  There is a nice balance of bitterness with malt and subtle sweetness and a hint of booziness.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with low carbonation, the Jubelale is sticky and syrupy, yet very smooth with a rather dry finish.  The generous use of hops gives this ale a refreshing and crisp sharpness with 65 IBUs.


Overall pairing: I paired the Jubelale with "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism" as a symbol of somewhat pessimistic hope for a better year ahead.  The Jubelale is a really nice, complex winter ale... perfect for kicking back on a cold winter night with the angry and brutally honest socio-political criticism and beautifully aggressive !

Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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