### Skeletonwitch: Serpents unleashed

#### 03/01/14 || Cobal

Skeletonwitch first caught my attention with their two mid releases “Beyond the Permafrost” and “Breathing the Fire”, as I thought I had detected in their music a most fulfilled and almost unique form of speed metal —not necessarily thrash— with melodic black metal hints. Sadly, that sound that delighted me a few years ago is almost gone, and “Serpents Unleashed” has been nothing but a disappointment.

As I stated before, I feel this album should be ultimately irrelevant in their career mainly because it is overall meh. In other words, neither is it despicable, nor impressive in any way. Unlike their previous works in which the velocity had been an essential element, this one rather goes for more traditional heavy metal riffs at moments and mid-paced black metal ones at others. And if the idea doesn’t sound that bad on the paper, the result is frankly weak. Just another album to their discography that should be forgotten as soon as these Americans release something listening-worthy.

Now, I’d be miserably lying if I told ya everything is wrong on this work. As a matter o’fact, there’s some good aspects to it. Take for instance the production. It is clean, well balanced, and it does add up for the “effect”. Unlike other cases, the problem here is the effect itself, but at least nothing is ruined by a weak production. Another thing I’ll give to these people is that they know how to write songs, that’s for sure. That I don’t like them, that’s a completely arguable opinion, but they are well grounded and the way the themes are managed is nearly flawless. No, these two points don’t make me love this. Not one bit.

I think the one thing that upsets me about “Serpents Unleashed” is its easy-to-listen, almost-radio-friendly approach to colorful metal —I refuse to call this black—. Of course, we could aimlessly argue for hours about whether or not this has anything to do with black metal at all. But let’s accept that for a moment. Ready? Good. Now watch the videoclip that was made for track 3, “I am of death”. You see what I mean? Fuck it. Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it. What Skeletonwitch are trying to do is bring some dollars to their pockets, nothing else.

So I was probably wrong, this is despicable after all. And still, I’ll most likely check out whatever these guys release in the future. Let’s see if they’re able to amend their path. Cheers.

- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Prosthetic Records
- Website: www.skeletonwitch.com
- Band
- Chance Garnette: vocals
- Scott Hedrick: guitars
- Nate “N8 feet under” Garnette: guitars
- Evan Linger: bass
- Chance Garnette: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Serpents Unleashed
- 02. Beneath Dead Leaves
- 03. I Am of Death (Hell Has Arrived)
- 04. From a Cloudless Sky
- 05. Burned from Bone
- 06. Unending, Everliving
- 07. Blade on the Flesh, Blood on My Hands
- 08. This Evil Embrace
- 09. Unwept
- 10. Born of the Light That Does Not Shine
- 11. More Cruel Than Weak