Skindred – ‘Volume’ [Review]
Skindred have spent the past 17 years forging a rock-solid reputation for fat, festival-field-bouncing grooves and instantly addictive songs. On Volume – Skindred long-player number six – the ragga-metal masters keep up the kind of pace that would exhaust even the hungriest of younger bands.
The big question set to hit the lips of every listener who comes into contact with Volume is this: Just how many crates of Red Bull were sacrificed over the course of this album’s creation? One thing’s for sure – you’re not going to need a single artificial stimulant in your system with Volume flowing through your headphones. It’s made up of 11 shots of pure adrenaline (and three numbered breathers), living up to its title in inimitable style.
Let your hair down and stay loose, and you’re in for the ride of your life. If you don’t, you’ll need a heart transplant, neck surgery, and a hip replacement by the end of it. In other words, this album could turn you into your grandmother if you don’t heed my advice.
Highlight-wise, it’s all about opening salvo Under Attack; the in-your-face aggression of Shut Ya Mouth; Sound The Siren‘s primal percussion, cataclysmic riffage, chaotic bridge, and brutal outro; and Saying It Now, where regretful ruminations temper full-tilt riff rock. This is an album guaranteed to satiate the most demanding Skindred superfan, and hook the ears of many a newcomer. Respect is absolutely due.
TMMP RATING: 90%
Links / Video / Tour Dates
Volume drops on October 30th.
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