Skeletonwitch is a Thrash Metal band from Athens, Ohio, USA
The members are
Chance Garnette- Vocals
Nate "N8 Feet Under" Garnette- Guitar
Scott "Scunty D" Hedrick- Guitar
Evan "Loosh" Linger- Bass
Dustin Boltjes- Drums
Nate "N8 Feet Under" Garnette- Guitar
Scott "Scunty D" Hedrick- Guitar
Evan "Loosh" Linger- Bass
Dustin Boltjes- Drums
Thrash
will always be one the most pivotal genres of music, in my humble
opinion. Without it, we would have no Big Four: and without those,
most modern metal would not exist at all. So when I hear that thrash
ragers Skeletonwitch are releasing a brand new album, I veritably
jumped at the chance to get my sludge-imbued hands on it.
‘Serpents
Unleashed’ is the fifth full-length album from the Athens, Ohio
five-piece and follows on from 2011’s ‘Forever Abomination’
with eleven more tracks of pure thrash filth and fury. If you came
looking for the aural equivalent of a hurricane dropping on your
house, you have most certainly found it. Plus the uber-bearded
frontman Chance Garnette sounds like the war cry of a Viking
beserker. A particularly angry Viking beserker at that, too.
Take
the title track, for a fine example. Being the first song on the
album, it comes out of the speakers raging, fists swinging and teeth
sharpened and ready to bite. It’s also the shortest song on the
album too, bursting through from explosive beginning to mauling
conclusion in a little over two minutes. Naturally, these thrash
sabretooths aren’t ones for balladry: album closer ‘More Cruel
Than Weak’ clocks in at nearly four and a half minutes long, and
that fine offering is the closest Skeletonwitch will ever get to a
mellow track. Indeed, its first minute is rather delicate: Nate
"N8 Feet Under" Garnette’s and Scott "Scunty D"
Hedrick’s guitar interplay giving way to distortion, heavy drums
and Chance’s terrifying shriekwork. By the time this runaway mine
cart of a track has reached its crushing end, no speaker is left
unmolested by ‘More Cruel Than Weak’’s battering sonic display.
Now I’ve dealt with
either side of the album, what about the main body of songs? Well,
if ‘Serpents Unleashed’ (the song itself) is the starter and
‘More Cruel Than Weak’ is the dessert, consider everything in
between a buffet of thrash proportions. Don’t worry about watching
your figure: these tracks are low in calories, high in metal fibre,
so feel free to gorge yourself. A particular treat of mine, I found,
is ‘Blade On The Flesh, Blood On My Hands’, which satisfies
everyone’s cravings for fast-paced, slamming guitars and charging,
ground-shattering drums. Also, if you’re looking for that
satisfying morsel, I suggest ‘Born of the Light That Does Not
Shine’, a two-minute (and a bit) slice of the leanest, tastiest
thrash from the other side of the Pond. Take one bite, and it will
blow your mind.
Thrash’s flag is
still flying proudly, and Skeleonwitch is a worthy band to carry that
banner high for all the metal crowds to see. I can see that this
most vital of genres is being kept vital and alive thanks to amazing
bands such as this: to all you out there, get bitten by the Serpents
Unleashed!
Written by Chris Markwell
Thanks to Kelly at Prosthetic Records for sending us a promo to review. Much appreciated. Serpents Unleashed is available to buy from all good stockists now.
Check The Band From Links Below
http://www.twitter.com/skeletonwitch
http://www.skeletonwitch.com
http://www.indiemerchstore.com/skeletonw...
http://www.prostheticrecords.com
