Artist: Skinless
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 6/3/03
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Title: From Sacrifice to Survival Artist: Skinless Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 6/3/03 |
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Abyss's Review:
Skinless' new disc is a fun, yet brutal, slab of good 'ole American death metal. I've always liked this band, especially in a live setting, because they seem to love what they do, and that fact makes them do it well. Their new album sees them growing as songwriters a bit more, as they've branched off of the constant brutality and add some finely orchestrated melodies to dot the album.
"This growth is less a change in sound as it is an exercise in texture, something many of the more brutal death metal bands often ignore."
This growth is less a change in sound as it is an exercise in texture, something many of the more brutal death metal bands often ignore. Skinless' strength continues to be their nifty sense of groove and crushing thick sound, so don't worry if I made them sound like they had gone soft. They surely haven't. In fact, the biggest change that most fans will notice is that they seem to have gotten their act together and evolved into a band that demands respect rather than just deserves it.
"The sound is great, utilizing a razor sharp crunch that gives the grooves ballast and balls." Everything from the songwriting to the packaging makes it clear that the band isn't screwing around. The sound is great, utilizing a razor sharp crunch that gives the grooves ballast and balls. These guys just seem like they've become more comfortable in their own skins, er I mean if they weren't Skinless that is. I'm still not convinced they've fully realized their potential, however, but they've taken a big step toward the respect that they deserve. This band has gone from having a good sound to having good songs, which is a very important improvement. While I still wouldn't consider them a top tier band, this album has them firmly rooted in the second tier, with a promise of good things to come. One word review: Groovy.
Death's Review:
What's in a title? Have Skinless emerged from the "sacrificial" stage of their careers, now keenly focused on mere long-term "survival" in the crowded 2003 metal scene? Truth be told, I'm thinking their ambitions should be a bit higher than just surviving after hearing their latest release. Skinless roar back with a ferocious new album produced by the great Neil Kernon (Cannibal Corpse, Judas Priest, Nevermore), at once displaying the killer, technical groove riffs and tight, pummeling drumming that made Foreshadowing Our Demise such a headbanging death metal delight while expanding the Skinless sound enough to shed any accusations of mere post-Suffocation regurgitation with extra mosh riffs.
"They've managed to expand upon their sound without compromising their intensity or losing any of their visceral impact."
Gone is drummer Bob Beaulac - a difficult act to replace, no doubt, but John Longstreth (Origin) fills in admirably. The result is the most technical Skinless album yet, and certainly the most professionally assembled. Two interesting changes are immediately apparent. Shockingly (at least on paper), From Sacrifice to Survival introduces some clean vocals into the Skinless sound on a couple of tracks. Rest assured, they are mixed low in the background, and are not at all what I'd call prominent. Sherwood Webber's trademark guttural death metal growl is certainly still the driving vocal force. But the clean vocals are there in spots. Second, the movie samples and sound bites are pretty much gone. Take that for what you will. I was so into the music that I had to have someone ask me about it before I really even noticed.
"I can almost picture Webber climbing the rigging for the grand stage dive now - his boot comes down and kicks your sorry ass in the head, but you don't fucking care, 'cause you're too busy thrashing around and banging your head to notice." Overall, while there is probably nothing earth-shatteringly original at play here, Skinless achieve something that has tripped up countless metal acts in the past - they've managed to expand upon their sound without compromising their intensity or losing any of their visceral impact. It's the best of both worlds, and we are left with good, catchy death metal that respects metal history, understands why we listen to it, doesn't insult our intelligence with rehashed bullshit and grabs us by the fucking throat and refuses to let go even though we are crying like little bitches begging for them to spare us. I can almost picture Webber climbing the rigging for the grand stage dive now - his boot comes down and kicks your sorry ass in the head, but you don't fucking care, 'cause you're too busy thrashing around and banging your head to notice. Fuck mere "Survival" - Skinless will thrive within the death metal underground when this one hits the streets. All they need is a video on Headbanger's Ball and a tour with (for example) Hate Eternal followed by and opening slot on something creative like a multi-act Lamb of God or Superjoint Ritual headlined show this fall - anything to get this stuff out to the masses.
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: "Deathwork"
"Everything is perfectly balanced, every instrument 'pops,' and the result is exactly what this hardworking band deserves." Finally, after two long years, the upstate New York boys have come out with their follow up to Forshadowing Our Demise. This time, they've brought in none other than Neil Kernon to polish up the album's production and it turned out beautifully. Everything is perfectly balanced, every instrument "pops," and the result is exactly what this hardworking band deserves.
"I've always believed this band had talent to burn, and this album is blistering." I walked into the last album already a fan from their numerous live appearances in the New York City vicinity, and my primary complaint back then was the production, so I'm obviously much happier now. And the plethora of sound clips used on the last album is mercifully absent this time around. Back then, I had not yet developed my severe aversion to this practice, but today, I know I would have had to say something negative if every song had started out with a clip, but thankfully, the point is now moot.
The songwriting is the final place where serious differences can be delineated. On this new album, it has undergone a major expansion. Skinless has given their creative muscle a workout on this album, and the complexity of the songs found on From Sacrifice to Survival are several steps more advanced those on Foreshadowing. Such a leap was a surprise, but not necessarily an unexpected one. I've always believed this band had talent to burn, and this album is blistering. Check out the future of American death metal - but don't forget your shades.
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