Artist: Skeletonwitch
Album:  Forever Abomination
Label: Prosthetic
Genre: Thrash Metal

Ohio’s Skeletonwitch are known for not catering to specifics by joyously demolishing every sub-genre that stands amongst their path with an unwavering wrecking ball. They’ve been placed under every category in the book between thrash metal, blackened death metal, and speed metal, but one characteristic that everyone can agree upon is  they play metal, at break neck speeds. Their extremity and metallic heaviness garnered them a loyal following while landing them at #151 on the Billboards Top 200 chart, with their renowned release, Breathing The Fire. It’s been disputed whether they can uphold the strength of their discography, but rest assured, Skeletonwitch are back gratefully acknowledging the past while keeping their eyes firmly on the future with their newest creation, Forever Abomination.

Over their extensive career, Skeletonwitch have relatively followed the same blueprint assault of intricate riffs, melodic hooks, and bellowing vocals that have made the genre what it is today and their newest work is no exception. Right out of the gate, “This Horrifying Force,” gave the impression of a newly renovated sound but after the acoustic opening bars they step back to a familiar approach by unleashing a fury of guitar leads and harmonies. Main songsmith, Nate Garnette manages to carry most of the weight by churning out songs equally catchy as they are ferocious, while Chance Garnette’s black metal vocals are reduced to thin rasps and growls that rarely stride past their comfort zone, leaving them sounding almost monotone at times. Tracks like, “The Infernal Resurrection,” and “Cleaver Of Souls,“ are constructed around melodic tendencies, easily making them the reigning gems of the album. Dueling paced guitar riffs and relentless drum lines on “Sink Beneath Insanity,” and “My Skin Of Deceit,” screech forth with energy and don’t let up, bringing the album to a haunting close.

If you’re bored of the familiar tracks set forth by the forefathers of 80’s thrash, Skeletonwitch will cure your hunger and breathe life into the key eras of the genre that have long since been driven to the ground. Their ability to wear their influences proudly and honed craft push them above the group of rehashed bands that stumble over the same relentless patterns. Skeletonwitch love to play fast, plain and simple, and the enticing way they write their tuneful melodies amidst the unrelenting velocity makes Forever Abomination a must-hear if you’re a fan of the genre and if not, then chances are it’s not going to change your world.

SCORE: 6/10
Review written by: Nerissa Judd

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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