Time Signature Emerging from the depths of death...

Genre: death metal

You know, sometimes you just want some punch-you-in-the-face and no-questions-asked death metal. And, when you feel like that, Skelethal are the guys to see.

Their 2020-release "Unveiling the Threshold" is a lesson in the power of old school death metal. Rich in brutal riffage and awesome thrash-derived drumbeats, the album kicks your butt from beginning to end. The bottom-heavy production that seems to fall somewhere between the Stockhold sound and the Florida sound, both of which were prominent on the scene in the 1990s, only only makes things even better. The compositions are not overly complex but not simplistic either. Each track contains several riffs and sections, and high-tempo sections are effectively juxtaposed with midtempo moshing-friendly passages. In addition to the thrashy drumbeats, blastbeats are also incorporated, some of which seem inspired by Mike Smith of Suffocation fame, while others are your more standard type of blastbeat popularized by Napalm Death ex-drummer Mick Harris. On top of that, there is even some very cool ride bell work (as heard in 'Repulsive Recollections'). While I really like all tracks, I would say that 'Cave Dwellers' is my favorite, as it explodes into a chaotic sounding blastbeat section and then morphs into an almost crusty-punky affair with grindcore overtones. Nice!

Fans of old school death metal must not miss out on this release. It's perhaps not particularly innovative, but it's still fucking awesome!

Nightfly A late entry in my 2020 death metal explorations is this second album from French band Skelethal. Released late November, I’ve been living with it since the run up to Christmas and didn’t have as much time to spend with it as I would have liked. It’s only now in these dark, miserable January days, under our third Covid-19 lockdown here in the UK, that I’ve found the time to devote to it that it deserves.

I’m certainly glad to have found the time, as give Unveiling The Threshold a few plays and you’ll discover an excellent old school death metal album that could have been released back in the nineties. Leaning more to the Swedish style, buzzsaw guitars and all, it’s packed with infectiously raw riffs with a dual guitar attack. The sound is authentically raw and organic with just enough of a modern edge to add some extra punch. It’s not only the guitars that benefit from this as the drums really cut through with plenty of visceral power and there’s no shortage of bottom end from the bass. The vocals from Gui Haunting, who also doubles up on guitar, do the job nicely, or should I say horribly. It’s your typical low guttural growl as you’d expect and sits well in the mix without being too in your face. The pace rarely lets up but there’s enough twists and turns to keep things interesting and at thirty seven minutes is just about the perfect length. No songs particularly stand out as a favourite as none really stray from the bands template but the overall quality remains high throughout.

This is pretty much your meat and potatoes no frills death metal, you’ve certainly heard the like many times before if this is your thing. However, Skelethal do it with such enthusiasm and conviction on a consistently strong collection of songs that it’s hard not to be won over by it. Looks like I’m going to have to make some adjustments to my album of the year list here on MMA.