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Già che ci sono spendo due parole anche per questo promoCD, che contiene la sola canzone "Monuments", una unrealeased track (sempre del 2002) che quindi NON trovate su "Blessed By Ignorance".
La registrazione mi piace molto di più, e lo stile è più introspettivo e triste, con degli intrecci di chitarra che colpiscono nel segno. Grandissima canzone anche questa, come tutte quelle di questo gruppo, ma stavolta particolarmente emotiva e meno imponente.
Sul sito c'è scritto che di "Monuments" è stato fatto anche un video, e c'è un sample di 30 secondi... se siete interessati, provate a chiedere al gruppo.
(beast '84 - Ottobre 2002)

Voto: 8

Link to the review online.

Teo
Shapeless Zine - the Italian metal webzine - 2002-10-21
http://www.shapeless.it/

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La tracklist di questo mini differisce di sole due canzoni dal demo "Live At Vallby", che trovate recensito qui su Shapeless. Quindi, per quanto riguarda l'aspetto puramente musicale, valgono le stesse considerazioni che feci nella recensione di quel live, le nuove "Only Vindictiveness Remains" e "Addicted To Hate" (quest'ultima apparsa anche su altri demo) non si discostano da quello stile.
Death Metal di chiara ispirazione svedese ma personale, sempre melodico ma corrosivo, con un'atmosfera maestosa e incalzante allo stesso tempo, tempi mai velocissimi e qualche brevissima apertura più "leggera". Il punto forte sono sempre i magnifici riff e gli arrangiamenti in generale, che trovo molto raffinati e curati e che denotano una già grande maturità compositiva; ogni musicista contribuisce ad arricchire nella maniera migliore la solida base chitarristica, il tutto è molto ponderato insomma.
Facendo un confronto, mi piace più il demo dal vivo, perché la produzione di "Blessed By Ignorance" è troppo pulita, e rende il tutto un po' più freddo e meccanico (anche l'effetto flanger, credo, dato ogni tanto ad una chitarra quando è da sola, non mi piace molto). E' normale che dal vivo una band dia di più l'idea di "unita" e "organica" rispetto alle prove su disco, ma qui la differenza risalta molto, ancora non capisco se è solo per la registrazione o c'è qualcos'altro, fatto sta che ho questa sensazione.
Questo è lo stesso un gran bel lavoro, credetemi, questi Skinfected più li ascolto più gli auguro ogni fortuna. Solo che vi consiglio di chiedere al gruppo se hanno ancora delle copie di "Live At Vallby", che è una figata.
(beast '84 - Ottobre 2002)

Voto: 7.5

Link to the review online.

Teo
Shapeless Zine - the Italian metal webzine - 2002-10-21
http://www.shapeless.it/

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SKINFECTED (Only in Italian so far)
Live At Vallby, Vasteras - 2000
Etichetta: autoprodotto
Anno: 2000
Durata: 19 min
Genere: Death Metal

Demo registrato dal vivo: 4 canzoni già apparse in precedenti demo e 2 inediti. Innanzitutto la qualità della registrazione è buona, pur con i suoi ovvi limiti, il tutto è ben mixato e la prestazione di tutti musicisti mi sembra ottima. Non conosco le versioni "in studio" di queste canzoni quindi non posso dire se siano state riarrangiate o meno. Suppongo che il gruppo abbia registrato il demo da un concerto per questioni di comodità, e non per presentarlo prettamente come disco dal vivo, in quanto alla fine delle canzoni il rumore del pubblico è tagliato via dopo poco, e tra una traccia e l'altra ci sono le solite pause di 2 secondi. Già che c'erano potevano lasciare il tutto "continuato", che dà più l'effetto live, ma non c'è da lamentarsi, la musica proposta è ottima.
La matrice del suono è svedese, con il classico retrogusto epicheggiante anche nei più spietati riff di chitarra (per capirci: tipo Edge Of Sanity, non pensate ai Rhapsody!), e quando dico che c'è molta melodia non pensate a In Flames o Dark Tranquillity, perché questo è pur sempre Death Metal.
Chi ha composto le parti di chitarra ha davvero un ottimo gusto, riesce sia a corrodere con intelligenza che a far sognare, con bellissimi inserti melodici e solistici, senza andare fuori contesto o proporre inutili sbrodolamenti di tecnica.
Il disco è vario, raffinato ma violento e oscuro quando basta, si trovano idee interessanti e ben sfruttate, ma soprattutto, come già detto, grandi arrangiamenti, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la chitarra, ma anche il batterista mi è piaciuto molto.
Tirando le somme, direi che gli Skinfected promettono grandi cose! Anche se sono chiare le influenze musicali, secondo me hanno già centrato l'obiettivo riuscendo ad essere personali. Consiglio a chiunque sappia apprezzare il VERO Death Melodico di interessarsi alla band, magari iniziate scaricandovi un paio di mp3 dal sito ufficiale (qui sotto).
(beast '84 - Settembre 2002)

Voto: 8.5

Link to the review online.

Teo
Shapeless Zine - the Italian metal webzine
http://www.shapeless.it/

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BAND LINE UP
Fredrik Pettersson - Vocals
Daniel Johansson - Bass
Andreas Johansson - Guitar
Joakim Jonsson - Lead Guitar
Andreas Edmark - Drums

SONGS
i - Illusions of truth
ii - Only vindictiveness remains
iii - Sublevels within
iv - The frame
v - Master of all lies
vi - Addicted to hate

Turning up completely via surprise, Skinfected immediately caught my ears attention, and held on with both its hands around the neck!

Now what I have to say and comment on mainly is, quite simply... SHADOWS FALL!!!

This is definitely for fans of Shadows Fall, but also for those who just generally love melodic death metal without any cheese. Very melodic but dark masterful and solidly strong sound, that just harks of some of the more intense songs on "Somber eyes to the sky" CD, right down to the stops and starts, the beautiful melodic notation and metallic harmonies, occasional odd timed riffs and patterns, the gruff but not overly heavy and obscure vocals plus the nice mixture of deep and high. It's all there.

For those who don't know of Shadows Fall at all, I hope that still gets you a good insight into what Skinfected are all about.

To try and explain more, Skinfected also have moments owing to Dismember, Carcass (especially on the "Heartwork" album in the music), At the Gates a little, definitely very Swedish in style but not just relying on those standards.

Parts of "The Frame" remind of "Contradictions Collapse", the first full album by Meshuggah, not as chaotic obviously, but along that line, very accomplished and nicely pieced together.

Both the closing tracks take us back on that Shadows Fall ride. Marvellous.

Go find out about this band, they are quite simply really damn cool.

PAUL TANGAROA - Raw Nerve Promotions
(About the cd "Blessed by Ignorance", 22nd August 2002)
Link to review online

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Skinfected: Monuments

And what a monument that intro riff is, what a fucking cracker. This song kicks ass. The intro riff is what makes this song stand out. I downloaded it the other night and as soon as it started playing, I recognised the riff instantly from hearing it just "ONE" time before when Dave played me the song at his place about a month ago when he was showing me some music from the forum. That's proof in my book that Skinfected have created a very memorable riff, and this is why they shall succeed in my opinion. When I started Unthroned my main aim was to write memorable riffs. I wanted to write riffs that were gonna stick in peoples heads for 2 weeks straight. The reason for this is simple, riffs of that nature is what people will remember you by.... and the other reason is cause that's what I look for in music by other bands. Memorable riffs, classics, metal "monuments"(pun intended).
With this Skinfected have succeeded, congratulations guys!!
I could write my whole review on how cool that riff is(it's simple, but it's the perfect hook), but I shan't cause the song consists of more than this, so here goes.
Ok, overall.... I love this song. It flows. It follows a classic formula in that it's simple, but very moving. I wouldn't call it dark, but nor would I call it happy. It's in that sweet spot right in between making it one of those songs that just makes you feel good, makes you feel pumped when you hear it. It's very powerfull, and to me it's got a personal kind of feel. Like the song is a message to a specific person, and I think I see the song as the medium chosen to address the person, and bring their attention to the message........ and the song shoves it right in their face.
Now, onto notes about the actual playing, the structure, and the production.
The structure I feel is quite good....... and the fact that the intro riff plays a bunch of times didn't bother me at all. So again, a clear indication that it is the driving force behind the rest of the song. The foundation.
The guitar tone is quite nice, and they have a definate depth to them, along with that classic swedish tone. However the song starts up and the intro riff smacks you in the face and says, we're here... listen to this. Then I noticed that in all the other riffs in the song the guitars sounded like they dropped a little, and became a bit burried in the mix. They didn't seem as loud as the opening riff. Maybe a simple matter of nailing all the levels of every instrument in the mix.. and boosting them when they need boosting for example when a lead comes in.
The part of the song from 1:50 to 2:19 might need a little work. At first I thought I didn't like that part. First I thought it was that the change into that riff didn't work, then I listened a bunch of times and determined the change is fine. Then I thought I just didn't like the riff, but again listened a bunch of times and determined that didn't really have anything to do with it either.
My only problem with this part is for 2 reasons.
#1: The guitar tone sounds weird in this section...i.e, the trem picking stuff.
#2: I just feel that upon listening to the song about 10 times in a row, this section sounds quite empty compared to the rest of the song. If you have a really good listen to the rest of it all the sections work great, and the 2 guitars make it sound like it's moving all the time... everything sounds alive. But from 1:50 to 2:19 it sounds like it's a bit stark. Not as vibrant as the rest of the song. I have only 2 suggestions. I reckon you should change one guitar line, or add a simple keyboard section to this part of the song to fill it out, give it depth and keep the atmosphere of the song going. Or do both. I just feel something small needs to be done to make this part keep with the same standard of the rest of the song.(I could totally hear keyboards in my head for this part).
The breakdown at the end of this section(occurs at 2:19) is an entirely different story. It's gorgeous in my opinion.
And the lead that starts after this at 2:43 is also nice. Handled nicely and suits the feel of the song, and the way it flows back into the opening riff again is great. Works really well.
At 3:31 a chord is sustained and the song gently merges into an acoustic section which I also really liked. Very tranquill, and did a lot for the mood of the song.
The only change I thought didn't work as good as what it might have had it been approached differently is the change that occurs at 4:13 in the song where it goes from the mellow interlude part and transgresses into the riff that comes after the opening riff at the start.(The riff where the straight 8 starts). You use a a palm muted chord that gets picked with four down strokes. The reason why I didn't think that worked so well is cause it kinda sounds like it was just put there to give yourself a way to get back into that straight 8 riff. It just looses a bit of power or something. If some sort of a lick was employed that was along similar lines as the opening riff, some sort of a harmonised run or something perhaps the change over into that riff would be really good.
And finally at 4:43 we begin the outro with the same awesome riff that starts the song off. It's one of those riffs that you know when you write it, it has to start the song, and finish it. At 4:55 it goes into those slow chords, with the chunky down stroked bits that get thrown in which all sounds good. My favourite part in this bit is when the lead guitar melody starts playing over the top of the above mentioned slow chords. Totally atmospheric and a very fitting way to close a great song.
Just my personal opinions of what I feel is a very good song. Well done again guys. Ok, now for the results.

Guitars: 8.5,
Technically there's nothing crazy going on here. But I might add that the song does not beckon for the guitars to do anymore than they do already. They are played well, no wrong notes or anything that I could hear and they achieve exactly what they were intended to achieve I think.
Bass: 8,
I couldn't really hear the bass at all in the mix, but that can also be perceived as a good thing. Because I did not hear any bass notes gone astray that fucked up the guitar melody or anything. So because compositionally the song is solid, I'm giving it an 8. I may not have been able to really hear it but I know if it was taken out of the mix I would definately notice the hole.
Drums: 7.5,
Again, technically nothing insaine but as I stated before I don't feel this song really calls for double kick thunder at 2:16bpm, or insaine blasting. However I did listen to a few riffs as they played and thought a couple of good fills would have spiced things up a little. A couple of sections I remember thinking a really good roll would work awesome there. But he played in time, and the beat is solid. I'm a fan of the simple straight 8 that is employed in the second riff too. Straight 8 can be a powerfull beat when used appropriatel... which you have.
Vocals: 9,
Not much to say here. I really liked them. Totally suited the song, classic swedish style. Reminded me of a mixture of L.G PETROV(Wolverine Blues era), and someone else... lol
Structure: 9,
As I said before, it's solid.
Originality: 8
Creativity: 8
Sounds: 8,
The mixing and mastering duties could have been a bit better in places, but fuck........ that would apply for every bands work on this forum I reckon. It's a pretty hard thing to get perfect. And basically, I don't think perfection exists when it comes to production. There can always be something that can be done to improve a final result. But Monuments is quite good, sounds pretty even and holds a good continuity. I would have rated it higher but the high hats are to loud in the mix, and too hissy.
Emotions: 10
Enjoyment: 10,
no question about this one. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The opening riff is cracker, one of the best I've heard for a while. I've already worked out how to play it cause I'm into it that much. No doubt it will distract me from the riffing I have planned to do for Unthroned tonight though, oh well It's all in the name of metal.
Overall: 8.6
Kick ass song, will now be a permanent addition to this humble win amp.

My first review on this thread is now complete!!!

enigma_nocurnus - The UltimateMetal Opeth forum
(About the song "Monuments" 10th August 2002)

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Like the start, very explosive. The vocals are good. The change at about 0:30 is a bit sudden, but I got used to it . The structure seems a little strange, the 'chorus' seems more like a verse to me, but it is good. The riffs are like an In Flames style, at least to me they are. Love the solo-ey bit in the middle, and the slow bit after is very nice. I didn't notice the bass much, but then I nearly always concentrate on the guitars anyway. The drums are nice, but no parts really stood out, like the bass. I would have liked the whole song to be more progressive, less repetitive, but each to his/her own.

Guitars: 9
Bass: 6
Vocals: 8
Drums: 7
Structure: 7
Originality: 6
Creativity: 8
Emotions: 7
Sound Quality: 8
OVERALL: 7.3

Very nice.

rustymetal - The UltimateMetal Opeth forum
(About the song "Monuments" 28th July 2002)

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SKINFECTED - Monuments

This has great melody and passion with enough strong riffing going on. Very good death vocals and nice solo work. I really like the breakdown around the 4 minute mark and the way the music shifts back into a faster tempo. Definitely a band I would buy an album from.

AngelWitch73 - The UltimateMetal Opeth forum
(About the song "Monuments" 6th July 2002)

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Review of Skinfected - Monuments

Good song! I like it. I'm hearing many influences in it... maybe the most Amorphis,
dont know if it is though. The song works greatly as whole.
Pretty emotional song too and thats a plus. Vocals are good, so are guitars, bass I cant
hear from these lousy speakers nor drums very well.

Sounds: 8.5
Vocals: 8
Guitars: 9
Melodies: 9
Emotions: 9
Orginality: 8.5

Overall: 8.75 (Out of 10)
Great song, I have to definitely give it a more spins, and learn more about this band.

Hearse - The UltimateMetal Opeth forum
(About the song "Monuments" 11th June 2002)

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This song is great, really good. First riff is cool, slightly weird time sig, and done well, then into the more rocky flowing riff, cool change...

Recorded really well, although it seems the mixing process or mp3 process wasnt too good, it says its a 128kbit file but it lacks the quality. Its missing a lot of definition and treble, it sounds like its recorded on tape actually.

2:35 - Love this riff
The next section overuses the one artificial harmonic though imo, i dunno, it just annoys me for some reason, even though it only does it 3 times. hmm.

Its a great song, download it. Very melodic and emotional, and interesting, and creative.

Guitars: 9.5/10
Drums: 9/10
Vocals: 9/10
Emotion 9.5/10
Originality: 8/10
Riffs: 10/10
Song Structure: 9/10
Recording Quality: 8/10

Overal 9/10

YaYoGakk - The UltimateMetal Opeth forum
(About the song "Monuments" 13th June 2002)

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"AVE! I have received your cds and I must tell you that everything sounds great! It is exactly the way death metal should sound!
The most important thing: the diversity of songs. There is no monotony-do you agree? It seems that many today's bands have problems with monotony.
I haven't listened to your band before but one thing is for sure: you are one of the best under groud bands from Sweden.The future is yours! "

Florin Trocan - Nocturn Metal Show
(About "Blessed by ignorance" and the song "Monuments" May 2002)

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This is not a regular demo tape, it's a rehersal cd.-rom. Unless it was recorded in rehersal room, the sound is very good. Skinected comes from godly Sweden and as you can guess they play godly death metal. not fast one, but still good one! More or less melodic, with some brutal influences. The musicans are good. They're good, so why don't you check 'em out ?! Skinfected is going to record studio demo soon. Write them !

Masterful Zine
(About "Rehersal 2000 - Demo CD 2000)

(T. Freed (Throneaeon), Västerås Tidning, 2 0 May 2001, About the gig at McEwans 1 6 May)

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The band consists of five guys from Västerås: Joakim Jonsson (guitar), Daniel Johansson (bass), Andreas Johansson (guitar), Fredrik Pettersson (vocals) and Andreas Edmark (drums). Skinfected was formed 1989 by Fredrik, Andreas J and Daniel under the name Obnoxius. A few demos was recorded, and some members was changed until 1999 when the band had the setting it has now. 1994 Jocke was added on guitar and 1999 Andreas Edmark joined the band.

From the start the music was more varied and a bit more of early deathmetal. Today the band calls its music melodic death metal. When it comes to influesnces they cover a broad scale.

-Mostly its metal but we do listen to some classical music and jazz. I'm sorry to say even some reggae, says Jocke laughing, aiming the last comment at Andreas J.

The new mini-cd was recorded at the studio in Mariaberget and, according to the band, it went well.
-The recording itself was done in six days. It was completed somtime in may. Then there was some trouble mixing which had to be done twice. Also the cover has taken som time.

What expactations do you have on this recording?
-First of all we hope it will give us lots of gigs, says Daniel and the othes agree.
-And to spread our name, Jocke ads.

This wednesday the band played on Bankiren with another of Västerås heavier bands, Vicious. Those who missed the opportunity to see them wont have to wait long. Vicious plays again in the first part of Big Hit and Skinfected plays a couple of wednesdays later. This year Big Hit consists of a good mixture of bands from different styles and will be a, to say the least, interesting competition.

(Magnus Gustavsson, Västerås Tidning, 0 9 March 2002)

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Old metal dies again

Tomorrow, wednesday, there will be a releaseparty at Bankiren held by the Västerås band Skinfected for their debut release "Blessed by ignorance". Raw, straight, old-school Death Metal with a touch of melodies.

After having recorded two demo tapes they recorded the debut cd "Blessed by ignorance" released by the label KingSize Record owned by the music association Decibel.
-Hopefully the record will give us an opertunity to get a deal with a bigger label and some more gigs too. The primary thing is to spread the name of the band as much as possible, the guitarist Andreas Johansson says.

The band, under the name Skinfected, have only played about ten gigs so far and only in Västerås.
To try spreading their wings are something the band looks forward to.
- A month long tour would not be that wrong, Fredrik Pettersson says.
- To get a break through it simply takes a whole lot of will. We have been very lazy not getting any further than this before, but now we have a good product to lean on, the bass player Daniel Johansson says.

By listening to "Blessed by ignorance" it shows that the band plays a lighter version of the old-school Death Metal. That the roots can be traced back to 1989, the same year as Entombed released their groundbreking "Left hand path", feels logical.
- The old-school Metal is coming back, it seems. People are re-descovering the old-school type of Death Metal again, Joakim Jonsson says.

Vicious (former Wargasm) are supporting the band tomorrow at Bankiren. After that it will show if it will bare or brake for Skinfected.
- We know that you can not feed yourself by playing this type of music. But it sure would be nice to play some gigs at least, Daniel Johansson says.

The band does not have a contract with a distibution company at the moment, that means they will have to work by them self to sell their records. One way is to send records to "festivals", another to trade records with foreign record labels.
- It can be done so that you offer to distribute one of their bands here in exchange for them seling our record in return. We are planning such a trade with a German label, Joakim Jonsson says.

(Jon Forsling, Vestmanlands läns tidning, 0 5 March 2002)

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