Skeletonwitch-Beyond the permafrost

Prosthetic Records
2007

This band was formed in 2003 in Athens, Ohio and they released a full-length release in 2004 and an EP last year. Its seems that more and more metal bands are reaching back to the speed metal gods of the mid-late 1980’s for inspiration. To me the main sound here is German thrash with Destruction and Kreator being the most prominent influences. It’s a rather tight style thrash at the core with the vocals alternating between an older thrash style and the growling style that has bee more popular over the last say 15 years. What makes them different from other bands who are just emulating old style thrash is that they have some more classic metal influences well. I can hear a little Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and maybe even some late 80’s Helloween. The thing is that the classic parts are spread out and they and always in short bursts. Rather than being combined you have a separation of two somewhat different musical styles. The majority of the songs being this thrash style and then at some point a blast of solid style metal will blast out or the solo will be of that type. Then the song inevitably gets back to the thrash music. It was a little startling and unexpected at first as it felt like a split of genres rather than a blend. However, I have begun to like it mainly due to the fact that this band handles it with a lot of confidence and even a bit of flair. They are combining rather than inventing yet it is a different approach. Still they seem to have the capabilities to make it work. It would be nice to see the intensity level raised a bit and there are times where it seems like the pace is controlling the band rather than vice versa. All in all “Beyond the permafrost” is a solid release that at least partially pulls off a different approach.