Napalm Death’s bassist, Shane Embury, has been in a variety of other projects over the years. His self-titled act released a debut album in 2025 called Atonement. Not a fan. Experimental and ambient in nature, the entire album is composed of instrumentals and ambient noises. I think he was experimenting with a lot of different sounds and such to then lead into this album, Bridge To Resolution.
8 songs where Shane does it all on this album. Who knew this UK specialist in Grindcore had this in him, even the vocals. 8 songs in 42 minutes, and if this album does not embed in your mind for years to come, then I am unsure what type of music will. With leanings towards 80’s industrial and new wave alternative, this is a special album. Think Ministry’s first two albums, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Sisters of Mercy.
“Spasm Prayer” opens the album with industrial and ambient noises, and I am like, ‘please don’t be like their debut’. The drums come in with industrial noises, synths, bass, guitars, and Shane’s washed-out, shoe gazy stylized vocals. And it’s friggin’ terrific. If this album was released in like 1983, who knows where Shane would have ended up. So catchy, so emotive, and the song moves pretty swiftly. No grind blasts with his signature distorted bass guitar…no, but as an alternative industrialized, new wave song it’s pretty fast and dreamlike.
“The Dreaming Abyss” has fuzzy bass guitar and some distorted vocals, taking on a sinister tone, until Shane’s regular vocals, like the previous song, come on in. There are some atmospheric and melancholic moments on this song. Shane has some very catchy tones as his vocals soar and the instrumentation, some of which is programmed, accompany his vocals perfectly. There are some isolated vocal moments, and the song takes on some of the goth aspects that some new wave/industrial bands incorporated later in the 80’s/early 90’s.
The title track sounds like a nursery rhyme is being counted down with the opening musical arrangement. The song is on more of the softer and slower side with more distorted vocal elements, where Shane begins to sound like a computer, until his vocals are intertwined within. Atmospheric, melancholic, and I sense a cathartic unleashing from Mr. Embury, as you can tell he has put his heart and soul into this project.
“Illusion Guillotine” is a creatively named tune. Some programmed synths/keys start things off, and I feel like I am floating in outer space. Shane’s washed-out vocals, drenched in reverb, enter into the picture and tap into your heartstrings. It’s impossible to listen to this title track and not feel something, as well as a fresh take on the various genres I previously mentioned above. There are some ethereal female vocals in the background, adding to the emotion.
“The Gift of Shame Wrapped in Guilt” ends the album, at over seven minutes, starting with some piano elements and noises. Soft vocals sweep in and out of this dreamlike song, with the variety of noises and sounds throughout. I sense sadness, despair, and grief are all part of the setup Shane has crafted for this album closer. The musical elements gradually become louder and more epic, with Shane’s vocals getting pumped louder in the mix, before the album ends on the softer side. By the way, if you really liked the project, Host, a few of the Paradise Lost members put together a few years ago, you will love this album.
Bridge To Resolution is a fascinating album from one of the pioneers in Grindcore, Shane Embury. Please look at the references above to see the type of genre this is, because if you just like brutal music, this will not be to your liking. Shane is a creative force, and from his vocals to the variety of sounds that are programmed and organic in nature, this is a top album for me in 2026. Was not expecting something so moving and so terrific. The Apple Music full-motion album cover, when playing the album, is brilliant. What a forward-thinking album; truly excellent!!
