Skeletonwitch – Breathing The Fire
released October 13, 2009 on Prosthetic Records

Look past the scores of melodeathsters, neo-thrashers and brave blenders of various metallic subgenres. Ohio’s darkest sons remain on the perimeter of the battlefield, deliberately honing their weapons, bracing for attack.

They clearly study the NWOBHM (evidenced most strongly in the twin guitar harmonies), kick the pace into high gear, blacken the vocals, and sound like they have a hellraising good time while they do it! Best of all, it’s produced by Jack Endino (High on Fire, Nirvana, 3 Inches of Blood) and mastered by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed. These guys know just how much to cook the rawness, and we’ve got a bloody rare find here.

Their third full-length may offer minimal surprise or progression from Beyond The Permafrost (and in fact feels unfinished in places) but this band is young, tight, energetic, and has no time to take prisoners or wait for you to catch up. Skeletonwitch have affirmed their battle cry and now easily contend with the likes of The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust, or Municipal Waste.

FCC: 2, 7
Try 1, 4, 6, 9, 12

01. Submit to the Suffering
02. Longing for Damnation
03. Where the Light Has Failed
04. Released From the Catacombs
05. Stand, Fight & Die
06. The Despoiler of Human Life
07. Crushed Beyond Dust
08. Blinding Black Rage
09. Gorge upon My Soul
10. Repulsive Salvation
11. Strangled by Unseen Hands
12. …And Into the Flame

[xrr rating=4/5]