NAPALM DEATH Announces Special Performance With Artist KEITH HARRISON At London Museum

Extreme metal and art — two worlds apart? Not for legendary grindcore outfit NAPALM DEATH, who will collaborate with ceramic artist Keith Harrison in a one-off performance at the renowned V&A in London on March 22, starting at 7:30 p.m. U.K. time. The band will play a special live set through an experimental sculptural sound system constructed by Harrison. Clad with ceramic tiles, the structures will potentially disintegrate as the performance progresses.

NAPALM DEATH vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway states: "Sound as a weapon — or a weapon of change — is a very interesting concept and I think that the whole process of our sound gradually degrading clay sculptures is captivating.

"The noise element of music should never be understated, and this exhibition at the V&A will hopefully demonstrate that music can do interesting things beyond the realms of clipped production techniques.

"On a personal level, particularly of interest to me is the fact that the sculptor, Keith, grew up around the very same area as me in Great Barr, Birmingham, and basing his sculptures around the tower blocks in that area brings back a lot of quirky memories mixed with the impressions of shameful deprivation in some of those places."

Keith Harrison, V&A ceramics resident, comments: "My interest in NAPALM DEATH started in the late '80s when as a teenager in Birmingham I would listen to John Peel's evening radio show when they would appear out of nowhere in jaw-dropping fashion, sometimes for no more than a few seconds.

"The raw, uncompromising energy of NAPALM DEATH will be used to activate a set of three specially created ceramic sound systems based on the group of vivid blue and yellow tiled tower blocks on the Bustleholm Mill estate, West Bromwich where I was born.

"I wanted to invite NAPALM DEATH to collaborate with me for this live performance at the Museum for the last of a series of Disruptions I have worked on throughout my residency."

Ruth Lloyd, V&A residency co-ordinator adds: "The V&A Residency Programme is public facing and aims to represent a wide range of audiences through artist led activities at the Museum. Past residents have staged events aimed at communities interested in poetry, sound art, architecture, design and contemporary craft. Harrison has led the V&A in developing a series of events aimed at heavy metal music and its fans."

Booking information:

Tickets are free, but limited. To book, visit the V&A web site here, or call the bookings office on +44 (0)20 7942 2211.

Tickets for this performance must be collected in person from the V&A on March 22; 3 - 6:30 p.m.. Tickets not collected will become available as returns.

More information about Keith Harrison and this very special event can be found at this location.