So, Skindred. You know the drill by now: slick nu-metal riffs, infectious reggae beats, samples, swinging your clothes around in the air at the end of a gig...basically, one of the most inventive bands currently plying their trade in the UK.
Having dominated the live circuit for over a decade, 2011's 'Union Black' cemented them as a massive draw at festivals across the globe and 'Kill The Power' finds Skindred hurtling another step closer to world domination. It boasts a wide array of variety, while also following the blueprint they laid down on 'Babylon' back in 2002.
Ninja, World's On Fire and the hulking title track cater to the tastes of fans old and new. There are the signature guitar riffs (bouncy enough to hire for a birthday party), gang vocals and superbly placed electronics.
Cut Dem, from 'Union Black', saw Skindred dabbling with the wibbly wobbly filth of dubstep. That was pretty cool, right? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet, son. The grinding electronic buzzsaw of Playing With The Devil is truly thunderous.
BenjiWebbe's vocal performance throughout is also top-notch. The bloke's pushing 50 and can still growl, wail and rap with the best of them. Even though his harsh roars have been reined in, and somewhat subdued, on the band's latest effort, he still remains the focal point of the madness.
MikeyDemus provides some luscious, unexpected guitar solos on The Kids Are Right Now and Dollars And Dimes, and the boys completely show up their 'Roots Rock Riot' material during Proceed With Caution – it's the heaviest, most life-affirminglybadass tune they've ever committed to tape. AryaGoggin must have popped a lung (or two) drumming on this one.
Even so, some may cry foul towards the tail-end of the album. The first 20 seconds of Saturday could be cut and pasted into the opening credits of a new American Pie flick, and even though it's got a catchy chorus, it could prove a bit too Blink 182 for hardcore fans. The same goes for We Live. It's a monster in its own right and will no doubt go down well live, but within the context of 'Kill The Power' its power ballad base doesn’t quite work.
But, Skindred have paid their dues and are allowed to dabble in whatever they please. 'Kill The Power' is not only the most coherent record they have assembled to date, but it’s also the best stab they have taken at the jugular of the mainstream. Let's hope they cut deep.
Fri January 24 2014 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Sat January 25 2014 - WOLVERHAMPTON Wulfrun Hall
Sun January 26 2014 - MIDDLESBROUGH The Middlesbrough Empire
Mon January 27 2014 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
Wed January 29 2014 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Thu January 30 2014 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Fri January 31 2014 - CAMBRIDGE Junction
Sat February 01 2014 - LONDON The Forum
Sun February 02 2014 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy
Sat March 08 2014 - NEWPORT Centre
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