MetalSucks

Skinlab… in 2009? Some fifteen years after the band emerged from the Bay Area thrash scene – mostly thanks to jocking from Machine Head’s Robb Flynn when both bands were Bay Area up-and-comers – Skinlab is back with The Scars Between Us… for better or worse. The band’s fourth full-length release and seventh overall (including an EP, a double-disc album containing alternate and live versions of songs, and a full-on live album), The Scars Between Us is Skinlab’s comeback album of sorts – and first for new label Stand And Deliver Records. The question is: can they resurrect a career after seemingly treading water, like Machine Head did a few years back after the one-two punch of nu-metal disasters The Burning Red and Supercharger before returning to the metal press’ pages of high praise?

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If you do, here’s their new video, for the track “In for the Kill.” Note the stunning subtlety of the metaphor the director chose for the video. It’s thought-provoking, esoteric nature may confuse some fans, but for those of us willing to give it some thought, it’s just genius. Pure genius.

-AR

[via The Deciblog]

This past October I tried to help get the word out about Texas’ By Any Means Necessary, who are one of my most favorite unsigned acts out there right now. Seriously – I listened to this group’s three-song EP more times last year some of the so-called “best” releases of ‘08. I think this band fucking rocks.

Unfortunately, the band remains unsigned… but hopefully that will change soon. Vocalist Adam Wright just e-mailed me to say that the band is heading into the studio to record a new demo with Scott Sargeant, the former Skinlab guitarist who produced Lääz Rockit’s 2008 release, Left for Dead.

Personally, I’m just excited to see what these boys do next. While I wait, check out their MySpace page, and if you’re an industry person, maybe think about signing them, m’kay?

-AR