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Reviewer: David Weddle
Hailing from Newport, Wales, four-piece Skindred are back with their eighth studio album, 'Smile'. Famed for their reggae-infused metal, Skindred has been making waves in the music industry since 1998. The new album builds on the band's previous track record of throwing everything they have got at their high energy, funky sound.
Frontman Benji Webbe, is as entertaining and charismatic as ever as he ploughs his energy into every track. The album is packed full of hit after hit, from start to finish. The band has been touring with KISS across the UK, spreading the Skindred sound to new ears and giving their existing fans a taste of just how good this album is.
Frontman Benji Webbe, is as entertaining and charismatic as ever as he ploughs his energy into every track. The album is packed full of hit after hit, from start to finish. The band has been touring with KISS across the UK, spreading the Skindred sound to new ears and giving their existing fans a taste of just how good this album is.
From 'Gimmie That Boom' sees Benji talking about difficulties having to seprate ahis private life and on stage life. Born out of frustration of being hassled by fans while going about his business with his family. Skindred have taken a taboo that most bands won't talk about and turned it in to seriously melt your face off metal track that is great on the record and truly awesome when played live.
The band doesn't keep the energy levels high with 'Set Fazers', with a beat that will rock you to the core. Using their ability to switch between genres, and infuse them mid-track, Skindred treats us to a track that incorporates pop, reggae, and metal elements to give us the uplifting 'Life That's Free'.
The band doesn't keep the energy levels high with 'Set Fazers', with a beat that will rock you to the core. Using their ability to switch between genres, and infuse them mid-track, Skindred treats us to a track that incorporates pop, reggae, and metal elements to give us the uplifting 'Life That's Free'.
It's so easy to just say that an album is full of hits and leave it at that, but 'Smile' really is. There are hard and heavy, fast and high energy songs that sit easily alongside the uplifting more chilled vibe of 'L.O.V.E.' which is crammed so full of positivity that you will be singing along with a smile on yer mug without even realising it. The song is accompanied by an awesome video that features none other than The Muppets, definitely worth taking the time to watch.
Trying to define the style of music that the band plays is a nigh-on impossible task. Are the Reggae-Metal, Punk-Reggae-Metal, or Electronic-Metal-Punk-Reggae? I have no clue how to put them into a specific genre and there in lies the beauty of Skindred. Their sound transcends genre, I get the feeling that Skindred are not a band that are about a specific type of music; they are simply about music.
Skindred truly are masters of their craft, and 'Smile' is most certainly a masterpiece. The band is on a headline tour this year, bringing the party to venues across the UK. If you are lucky enough to have tickets, you are in for a real treat. Check out the album at https://webstore.earache.com/skindred
Trying to define the style of music that the band plays is a nigh-on impossible task. Are the Reggae-Metal, Punk-Reggae-Metal, or Electronic-Metal-Punk-Reggae? I have no clue how to put them into a specific genre and there in lies the beauty of Skindred. Their sound transcends genre, I get the feeling that Skindred are not a band that are about a specific type of music; they are simply about music.
Skindred truly are masters of their craft, and 'Smile' is most certainly a masterpiece. The band is on a headline tour this year, bringing the party to venues across the UK. If you are lucky enough to have tickets, you are in for a real treat. Check out the album at https://webstore.earache.com/skindred