Released in between the grinding fury of ''Utopia Banished'' and the more experimental, industrial vibes of ''Diatribes'', ''Fear Emptiness Despair'' is something of a transitional album for Birmingham grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, with the fast-paced blur of their earlier material beginning to give way to a sludgier and groovier approach that they''d explore further on records like ''Inside The Torn Apart'' and ''Words From The Exit Wounds''. ''Fear Emptiness Despair'' shouldn''t be overlooked as a mere stepping stone, however, as it''s still an important part of the band''s evolution, and creates a dark, ominous atmosphere that''s unlike anything else in their discography.