The USA Metal scene, due its deep roots into Hard Rock, the melodic sense and technical care that are precious for North American musician, always is able to give birth to surprising acts that changed some rules and models. One amazing genre that arose on USA during the second half of the 80's was the combination between the aggressiveness of Thrash Metal with charming melodies inherited of North American Heavy/Power Metal. And SKINNER shows itself as a heir of this mix as shown on "The Dark Design", the band's latest release They show a fine mix between influences of North American Heavy/Power Metal (that isn't the same thing shown by German Power Metal acts of the late 80's) with elements of Thrash Metal (as the sharp and hooking guitar riffs), adorned by charming keyboards parts.

One can say that something of ICED EARTH old releases and VIRGIN STEELE vocals can be detected into their musical work, but it's personal, full of life and energy, and with strategic choruses and melodies that boost the musical accessibility, and how these guys know how to arrange their songs in a spontaneous and seductive way. It seems that something happened on the recordings, because Jim Pegram (bass) and Noe Luna (drums) played on the tracks 1 to 12, that were mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren, leaving 13 to Alex Tamas (bass) and Henry Moreno (drums), and that was mixed by Brian Altman. The whole sonority is a fine combination between sound clarity and aggressiveness in a way that enables the fans to understand what's being played by the band. Of course that the sonority of "Seven Angels" is different from the others, but's not bad at all (it sounds rawer than the others).

The band's songs are all great and offer the fans a solid and lovely form of music, and to the presentations between fans and album, the best ones for s first ride are "What's Left Inside" (very good combination between aggressiveness and melodies, a great chorus and one can check the excellent contrasts between clean and harsh tunes of the vocals), "In Silence" and "The Haunting Hours" (what lovely songs, indeed, with aggressiveness oppressing the ears due the excellent guitar riffs and solos, and the melodies shown on keyboards parts), "A Sea of Melancholy" (a lot of modern Heavy Metal can be heard on its melodies and arrangements, with a very good and solid rhythmic work of bass guitar and drums), "How Many Ways I Can Die" (a slow song with very good aggressive temper to its melodic appeal, and what lovely contrasts between aggressive and deeper moments), "My Tribulation" (another catchy moment that's hard to resist due its hooks), "Among the Ashes" (a deeper and introspective song based on keyboards, clean chords and vocals), "Wicked Whys" (the kind of song that makes you sing along and legs to move without you note it), and "The Dark Design" will do the job. But remember: this album is addictive!

SKINNER really is a reliable name of the North American Metal scene, so dive into "The Dark Design" and you'll enjoy it (and you won't ever get bored of it).