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By JEFF MAKI
Remember when Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer were at their peak? When high schoolers wore jean jackets with logo patches and combat boots, and when long hair was in? Of course you do. The Bay Area thrash scene was alive and kicking, ushering in a new battalion of metal bands and fans all across the country. Now, think back to the lesser but still formidable group of thrash bands that formed around the same time or thereafter: Testament, Overkill, Exodus, Forbidden, etc. This is who I would best compare Ohio's Skeletonwitch to. They are a new thrash band that pays equal tribute to all of the above, but also adds an unhealthy dose of the new school in death, black and even viking metal.
The twin Flying V attack of guitarists Scott “Scunty D.” Hedrick and Nat “N8 Feet Under” Garnette retro-riffs and shreds, churning out wailing guitar solos and refusing to let up throughout the album. Lead vocalist Chance Garnette screeches similar to Overkill's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth but also bellows out death metal growls from the new school. This fucker is fast, hearkening back to the glory days of speed metal. While it's obvious who Skeletonwitch is influenced by, it brings back great memories of buying your favorite thrash metal albums, headbanging like it's 1986 and having a good fuckin' time. Check out these song titles: “Baptized in Flames,” “Sacrifice for the Slaughtered,” “Vengeance Will Be Mine” and “Feast Upon Flesh.” That just about says it all for you. Several songs are catchy with a great groove. These guys know how to write memorable metal songs.
There are a few minor complaints. The vocals are low in the mix, often blending in with the ferocious guitar attack. Several songs are almost the exact same tempo and blend in with one another. But these are minor issues given the high quality of metal contained here. Look for Skeletonwitch to have staying power in the metal scene. Beyond the Permafrost will appeal to all ages and fans of metal, uniting the genre's glory days with the modern, extreme era. |
