For their second album since their reformation back in 2013, Albany, New York's Skinless have delivered one of the heaviest, most groove-a-licious, most riff-tastic extreme metal albums I've heard this year so far. Savagery doesn't overstay its welcome either, instead the band have opted for a slightly south of 40 minute release that punches you in the gut with the opening title track and continues to batter you with relentless riffs, guttural growls, pulverizing drums, and face melting solos & breakdowns just about every step of the way. "Siege Engine", "Skull Session", "Exacting Revenge", "Line of Dissent", and "Cruel Blade of the Guillotine" offer all the 'savagery' and brutality one would expect from a veteran NY death metal act, and while "Reversal of Fortune" tossing in some melodic, almost proggy bits and "Medieval" borders on doom at times, for the most part the blistering nature of of Skinless is ever present here on Savagery, the album also containing some expert production values that really highlights the massive riffing and demonic vocals. It's what you want from a Skinless album right?
Bottom line is, Savagery proves that Skinless are still a lethal force on the extreme metal circuit. Relapse Records has another winner on their hands here in 2018.
Track Listing
1. Savagery 04:27
2. Siege Engine 05:15
3. Skull Session 04:32
4. Reversal of Fortune 02:01
5. Exacting Revenge 04:11
6. Medieval 05:29
7. Line of Dissent 04:36
8. Cruel Blade of the Guillotine 04:35
9. The Hordes 01:58
10. High Rate Extinction (Bonus Track) 02:38