Skindred has sometimes been compared to Bad Brains, they got in their vain that hardcore explosion which made them one of the most exciting live acts in the UK, they reminds me of Asian Dub Foundation or the heaviest moments of Subsource, but as well they may be compared to Limp Bizkit. Alternative metal blended with dub and reggae it only can be intense, pumping, explosive. And this mixture formula, blending of metal/rock and punk elements with dub, reggae and electronica, since Apollo 440 and the beginning of the 90s, it’s not quite new, but it’s working efficiently when it’s made with nerve and taste. And Skindred for the past decade proof to have both. As usually, everybody reclaiming the paternity of the genre, but I think music it’s not exclusively about who was the first, but about writing good songs and express something, anything. And Benji Webbe since 1993 with Dub War and after their split in 98-99 and formed Skindred, done excellent works.
Union Black is the fourth album by Skindred and we’ve got 12 full of energy, smashing, brand new songs. It’s heavier, catchier, even if in the studio they never managed to captured the absolute intensity of what they are capable of, this is a very breathing, alive, groovy and absolutely pumping music. And once again, Skindred delivering good songs, consistence and not only form. “Warning” thunders with cutting edge riffs and this more heavy approach are flowing through the whole album till the very ending chord of “Game Over”. Shifting from the punk approach to more metallic riffs and hardcore rhythms, Skindred put together their most intense album up to date. And producer James Loughrey managed to create the perfect sound for this high gain and intense songs, you can only play loud this record. “Cut Dem” blending the eseence of dub and metal riffs with the contorted modern electronica, “Doom Riff” melt into one raggae and uncompromising metal butchery and the record, one by one bring up only excellent songs, inspired moments.
Skindred – Official Site
Skindred – fan site
Skindred – on MySpace
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNaT0t67E14&w=500&h=305]
