Skeletonwitch - Breathing the Fire (2009)

Before even hearing one single studio song from Skeletonwitch, I'd witnessed the band on the live stage two times and through those two experiences had formed a rather favorable opinion of the band. Now I must admit when I first got my hands on this album I was absolutely amazed by it, I was, but after numerous listens I've found that the album hasn't stuck with me as closely as that initial spin had. But I'll get to that in a moment.

For those that are unfamiliar, Skeletonwitch is an Athens, Ohio, USA based thrash metal band with black and death metal influences on the vocals. Since forming in 2003 these guys have been busy having released a DVD, one demo, one EP and after releasing, 'Breathing the Fire' last year they had three full-length albums behind them.

Again, their style is fairly straight forward and simple; thrash metal with black and death metal style vocals, catchy riffs, quality solos, gore/death lyrics, but what I find to be odd about the recording is the simple fact that the songs are so short. Between these twelve songs the album runs for just a little under thirty five minutes, and if they were a Slayer, 'Reign in Blood' era tribute band I wouldn't think anything of that length, but since they're not a tribute band I find it to be just odd. Basically most of these songs sound like they are not completely finished. Most sound like there should be an extra verse, an extended solo, some sort of intro or outro to them, and while some indeed have these characteristics, most don't. Does it ruin the songs? Absolutely not, because each of these songs have incredible energy filled with great fist pumping head banging moments, but just as your about to really feel their music it feels more like the band is cutting me off.

However after seeing the band live twice and listening to this album a number of times its become clear to me that Skeletonwitch is simple and to the point, but since the talent is clearly present I really think they'd benefit if they upped the lengths of their compositions. No, they don't need to make an album like Dark Angel's godawful, 'Time Does not Heal,' but adding some of the things I mentioned above probably wouldn't be an entirely bad idea. Nevertheless these guys give a quick blast of thrashing mayhem, which I enjoy and will most likely enjoy for a while, but I'd say this isn't the sort of album I'd take to the grave with me.