Bride, the metal master, slams out another great album in "Skin for Skin."
I’d never been a really huge fan of ‘80s metal, and since Bride came out in the late ‘80s and with the typical sound, I always listened to their stuff with hesitation. But Bride’s still around, and it’s not the ‘80s anymore!
Bride is heavy. Bride is extreme. Bride is very well polished. And, no offense, Dale, Bride has toned down the high-pitched screaming, or wailing vocals, so I can drop my old desire to tag the vocals as gimmicky. OK, they’re growly, but most metal is.
One thing I can say about lots of extreme metal is that it’s often a place to find the most obvious Christian lyrics in the industry. Though the lyrics didn’t come in "Skin for Skin"’s printed material, most of them come through understandably without having to read along. I’ve got to admit that some are thinking songs for me. Their theme didn’t jump right out at me.
"The Calm" is a short electro-instrumental introduction, then "Skin for Skin" jumps into some fast, precise guitar work backing a message of Satan’s deceitfulness. “End of Days” says to not fear because Jesus ultimately wins in the end, and features interesting bass work. It also includes a chorus of female vocalists who remind me somewhat of the chorus in Alice Cooper’s “Brutal Planet”. “Take the Medication” slows the tempo down a bit, but stays dark and plodding. Jesus is the only medication that cures what ails you.
“Inside Ourselves” gives some catchy guitar and vocal hooks. If heavy metal was as popular now as it was in the late ‘80s, this one could be a potential hit. The songs points out that we’re stuck inside ourselves without Jesus to let us out. The next three tracks are similar in a traditional heavy metal style. “Hard to Kick” tackles the foolishness of racism, while “Fuel and Fire” gives the listener an analogy of Satan and a modified car. “Breathless” came across to me as a thinker, but my daughter sees it as about new Christianity, and seeing old pain through new light.
“Breathless Savant” is an instrumental with renaissance flavorings to the harmonies. Little stuff sometimes impresses me, so I love the cowbell in “Bang Goodbye”. It’s a song of living without Christ, but knowing you need Him. “Rise Above” tells us that past, present and future, Jesus is God. I have an obvious bias toward “The Government”, since I’m retired military. Musically, the song is solid, well-executed heavy metal. While listening, I can’t help but ponder Romans 13:1-7, Exodus 15:3, Matthew 22:21 (and Mark 12:17 and Luke 20:25). Though the song makes some good points against war and government, the Bible’s pretty clear that God uses both to His purposes.
“Super Ego Star” sings of ego eating away at a relationship with God. “Hang On”, the last and fourteenth song, is the album’s one ballad. I find it odd to have it placed at the end of the CD, but there it is. It’s an almost-soft country rock tune on suicide’s not being the answer to any problem.
Overall, "Skin for Skin" is an excellent addition to the collection of anyone who’s into classic-style heavy rock. Bride’s got a reputation to uphold, and they don’t let their fans down on "Skin for Skin."
