SKINTILLA
"Shedding
Skin" (Self-produced; 2003)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
If you're looking for a solid dose of modern metal that doesn't give up any of its rock'n'roll power in order to sound "new," Skintilla's "Shedding Skin" may be just what you're looking for.
A unique blending of Ronnie James Dio-era Black Sabbath, "Powerslave"-era Iron Maiden and early Pantera, "Shedding Skin" contains five tracks of molten metal and one slower track (the closer, "Silence") that's so full of raw, genuine emotion, it's as powerful as the previous five.
"Shedding Skin" begins with "Trust," a hard rocking tune with a riff as addictive as the song's chorus. "White Flag Down" and "This Rage" are next, both of them bursting with Pantera-like aggression. A Judas Priest "Painkiller"-like riff is the staple of the fourth track, "Hate." "Live the Lie" once again re-visits the Pantera angle while the above-mentioned "Silence," closes out the CD with open-hearted honesty. (In fact, according to the CD insert, "Silence" is "written in memory of Sam Davies (Kranixfeld), Geoff Pretty and all friends lost. R.I.P.")
My only complaint about "Shedding Skin" is that it's only six tracks long. I'm ready to hear more from this band now!
Skintilla: Jeremy Burgess - guitars; Peter Stewart - drums; Darren Pretty - vocals; Kim Kranixfeld (bass); Jason Beveridge - guitars.
For more information, check out http://www.skintilla.com.
"Shedding
Skin" (Self-produced; 2003)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I only this about Skintilla: the name of the band, the name of the CD, the fact that they're from Australia and that they kick fucking metal fucking ass!
The sound is both familiar and different ... at the same time. If that sounds strange ... well, it sounds strange to me, too, but that's what this music is like. Although I have never hear this band before, the essence of the great bands they are influenced by are clear throughout: Pantera, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden, just to name a few.
Skintilla's "Shedding Skin" grabbed me from the first spin. Their brilliant blending of classic sounds from the above-listed bands, added to a unique flavor of their own, puts a fresh and unique twist in the music that had me going along for the ride from the very first cut and has stayed with me for every subsequent listen.
My only regret from this release is that there are only seven tracks. I'm already wanting more.
Skintilla: Jeremy Burgess - guitars; Peter Stewart - drums; Darren Pretty - vocals; Kim Kranixfeld (bass); Jason Beveridge - guitars.
For more information, check out http://www.skintilla.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 16 Dec 2024 12:46:33 -0500.
