Olivia Neutered John Returns with Abrasive New Album ‘Obscene Propaganda’

Halifax’s Olivia Neutered John Returns with Blistering Political Deathgrind Album

Nova Scotia deathgrind outfit Olivia Neutered John has broken their four-year silence with the release of “Obscene Propaganda,” a ferocious full-length album that combines relentless sonic assault with pointed social commentary.

The Halifax-based band’s first major release since 2020’s “Gorewhore” delivers 13 tracks of raw, uncompromising extreme metal across a compact 38-minute runtime. For fans of pioneering grindcore acts like Napalm Death or Canadian counterparts Fuck the Facts, this release represents a welcome return to form in a subgenre known for its political messaging and sonic intensity.

“Obscene Propaganda” builds on the band’s established foundation of breakneck tempos and abrasive guitar work, but the album’s focus extends beyond mere musical aggression. The band’s creative force, who goes by Richard/Rachel, explains that the album directly confronts the mounting pressures of modern existence and systemic oppression.

“These are songs about common people struggling through monstrous times,” says Richard/Rachel in the album’s accompanying statement. “It seems like every single day normal people are being put through the meat grinder for some landlord or corporation or ‘politician.’ People are sick and tired. This album is about those people and their struggles.”

This thematic focus reflects broader trends within extreme metal, where artists increasingly use their platforms to address societal issues rather than relying solely on shock value. The track listing itself reveals the album’s political bent with titles like “Trans Rights or Fuck Off,” “Landfills for Landlords,” and “National Rifle Annihilation” suggesting a progressive stance on contemporary social issues.

The timing of the release is particularly significant within the metal landscape, as grindcore and its adjacent subgenres have experienced a resurgence in recent years. This revival has been fueled by both veteran acts returning to the studio and a new generation of musicians drawn to the style’s combination of technical intensity and political messaging.

For Olivia Neutered John, “Obscene Propaganda” represents an evolution rather than a departure from their established sound. The title track exemplifies their approach, combining the genre’s trademark speed with focused aggression, while songs like “Silicon Graveyards” and “Uterine Crucifixion” expand on the band’s thematic concerns about technological alienation and bodily autonomy.

The album arrives at a moment when independent extreme metal is thriving despite industry challenges, with platforms like Bandcamp providing direct artist-to-fan connections. For smaller acts outside major music centers, these digital platforms have become essential for building sustainable careers while maintaining creative independence.

The full tracklist for “Obscene Propaganda” includes: “Unite as One,” “Obscene Propaganda,” “Riot or Die,” “Trans Rights or Fuck Off,” “Landfills for Landlords,” “National Rifle Annihilation,” “Uterine Crucifixion,” “The New Cocaine,” “Don’t Shit Where You Sleep,” “Inhuman,” “Buried After Birth,” “Silicon Graveyards,” and “Curb Stomped Into Oblivion.”

For the growing community of extreme metal fans seeking music that addresses contemporary anxieties, Olivia Neutered John’s latest offering provides both catharsis and commentary. “Obscene Propaganda” is available now for streaming and purchase via Bandcamp, with the band’s presence on major streaming platforms further expanding their potential reach beyond traditional extreme metal circles.

As society continues to navigate increasingly complex social and political landscapes, albums like “Obscene Propaganda” demonstrate that metal’s most extreme edges remain vital spaces for urgent artistic expression and unflinching social critique.