What does it take to make a mark in the world of metal? In this day and age it probably isn’t enough to merely be the heaviest of the heavy, the crown is moved on an almost daily basis and with different opinions on what is truly considered crushing. For me it’s always going to be Death Metal that already gives a band or album the leg up towards a perfect sound (excluding of course the masters that are Iron Maiden) but what can be done to make Death Metal new and fresh, especially when it comes from an older band with a legendary discography.
The almighty Skinless waltzed into the goresoaked world of Death Metal back in 1992 and have since gone on to shock and disgust many. Their nigh on perfect debut Progression Towards Evil and the following slab of decadence Foreshadowing Our Demise put Skinless on the map as a force to be reckoned with. After a brief hiatus between 2011 and 2013 Skinless came back to deliver Only The Ruthless Remain an album that solidified their return but provided little more, can their 6th full length Savagery cement their resurrection and leave their classics in the dust?
For me the answer to that question is absolutely not, the first two album capture not only a sound but a time and place in Death Metal history that cannot be recreated. None the less Savagery has its moments, each riff sounding like an anvil to the skull, drenched in repugnant entrails of puke inducing matter. Some highlights being the wondrous title track which even exudes dare I say Hardcore elements in the vocals, and also Skull Session, Line Of Dissent and Cruel Blade Of The Guillotine all of which reek of Brutal Death Metal flare and sickness tinged with a more traditional edge.
Essentially this is a very modern take on an old school sound, what I mean to say is this is exactly what you would expect a classic bands modern material to sound like. It’s grimy yet oddly polished like receiving a decaying animal in a beautiful box as a Christmas present. On the outside the production, overall sound and influences are all ticked off but on the inside is a wealth of nastiness for fans to get into, whilst I wouldn’t recommend this to new Skinless fans it still gives a brilliant representation of their finished product.
Will I be bantering on about Savagery for years to come, probably not. I dare say it may arise in conversation as a good album or one that proves Skinless have still got it, but if and when I hopefully get the chance to see these masters live again I won’t be crying out to hear the album in full, rather I will be standing their headbanging along awaiting the classics from this bands perfect past.
(7/10 George Caley)
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