Scum

Scum is the seminal debut from Napalm Death and the definitive blueprint for the grindcore genre. Recorded in two distinct sessions at Birmingham's Rich Bitch studios, the album features two different lineups, with drummer Mick Harris being the only constant member. Side A was recorded in 1986 for just £50, while Side B was completed in 1987 after the band had shifted toward a more extreme sound. This duality creates a fascinating evolution within a single LP, moving from crusty hardcore punk into the hyper-speed 'grind' that would influence thousands of bands. The album is famous for 'You Suffer,' the world's shortest song, but its true legacy lies in its fusion of extreme leftist politics with a sonic palette that rejected all commercial aspirations. It was released by Earache Records and became an unlikely success, peaking at number 7 on the UK Indie Chart and establishing the label as a powerhouse for extreme music.