SKELETONWITCH

Continuing to make metal that is the product of its collective influences in a way that is somehow unique and vibrant, Ohio's proud heavy metal flag-wavers SKELETONWITCH have sharpened its songwriting to a fine point on "Forever Abomination". Still resolutely thrash-fueled, traditionally rooted, and blackened around the edges, the blended attack is as lethal as ever, while a keener sense of melody makes front-to-back spins a breeze.

That keener melodic sense reaches out and grabs right from the start on "This Horrifying Source (The Desire to Kill)", yet the acoustic bits continue to demonstrate SKELETONWITCH's ability to incorporate diverse influences without making it obvious or disjointed. It is a characteristic of the band's style that has been its secret weapon from the beginning. But on "Forever Abomination" they've done it in more concise fashion. As a result, this is an album that flat out moves! We're talking an adrenalized momentum that never wanes and a song assemblage that makes it impossible to stop listening until the final notes of the last track have become inaudible. Though "Forever Abomination" is not without its standout cuts, there is a real "album" quality to this one. New drummer Dustin Boltjes (DEMIRICOUS) locks those rhythms downs tight and offers a display of percussive might in the process, while Chance Garnette's demon rasp is at once fine-tuned and opened a little wider. His death growls work extremely well on tracks like "The Infernal Resurrection", which also features the single most memorable chord pattern on the album; it is guaranteed to make you sit up and take notice every time it's played.

The notables on this one are many though, including the aforementioned "This Horrifying Source (The Desire to Kill)". Add to that list the memorably written "Erased and Forgotten", which also happens to include some blazing GOATWHORE black/death devastation, as well "Of Ash and Torment" with its absolutely hellish, old school thrash lick. That's no lie; the damn thing burns so hot you'll swear you smelled smoke. "Cleaver of Souls" blazes away in similar fashion, its temperature just as high. Blackened, deathly, thrashy, or traditional; it's all in there on "Forever Abomination" and once again SKELETONWITCH mixes it all together and serves it up piping hot. It's a taste you won't forget, even with a burnt tongue.