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On Skeletonwitch's third release (gonna go track down their back catalog now?), Beyond the Permafrost, the band displays a crushing blend of Thrash, Power, and Black Metal. "Blackened Thrash" has been coined to perhaps define the band but that seems too limiting as there is a definitive NWOBHM gallop present throughout the band, as well as harmonized guitar leads not really found in too many other places. Hell, let's break out the term Speed Metal, too, since this record rides the tempo of the damned, ranging from fast to faster while maintaining malevolence and menace aplenty. In fact, the album flashes by in ~36 minutes leaving the listener -- at least this one -- wanting more.
This record could sit on the shelf between Immortal's Sons of Northern Darkness and Testament's The Legacy, with Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast somewhere nearby. Vocally it's like a conversation between Abbath (Immortal) and Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth) dominated by the former but effectively punctuated by the latter. The production is a little thin sounding at times, but that only means the volume should be increased, right? Natch! As for tour mates in a sort of package deal, how about this varied pack of evil: Skeletonwitch, 3 Inches of Blood, Goatwhore, and Witchery. That lineup would certainly work the crowd into a frenzy.
At the end of the day, Skeletonwitch's Beyond the Permafrost is for Thrash fans, old school and modern alike, Black Metal fans, and maybe even just Metal fans in general. At least those with an open mind.... Will you heed the call of the 'Witch? While all are strong songs with really killer titles, standouts include "Baptized in Flames" and "Limb From Limb." It is worth noting that BtP includes 3 out of 4 songs from the band's previous EP, Worship the Witch: the title track, "Fire From the Sky," and "Feast Upon Flesh." Also, "Vengeance Will Be Mine," "Baptized in Flames," and "Within My Blood" appear on the band's out of print debut, At One with the Shadows.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Upon Wings of Black |
| 2. Beyond the Permafrost |
| 3. Baptized in Flames |
| 4. Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod |
| 5. Vengeance Will be Mine |
| 6. Limb from Limb |
| 7. Cast Into the Open Sea |
| 8. Fire from the Sky |
| 9. Soul Trashing Black Sorcery |
| 10. Remains of the Defeated |
| 11. Feast Upon Flesh |
| 12. Within My Blood |
: 36:25
| Buy other Skeletonwitch albums |
