SHED THE SKIN (Incantation) - Harrowing Faith (CD)

Late in 2014, HELLS HEADBANGERS released the quintet's first recording, the Rebirth Through Brimstone 7", and the buzz built about this "new" American death metal band. But SHED THE SKIN, in fact, include a number of considerable scene veterans: among them, Kyle Severn of INCANTATION on drums, Matt Sorg of Ringworm on guitars, Ash Thomas of VLADIMIRS and Faithxtractor on vocals, and Ed Stephens from Vindicator on bass. With all that combined experience, it's no surprise that Harrowing Faith is as massive as it is. Just like Rebirth Through Brimstone, the more fully fleshed-out Harrowing Faith is 100% DEATH METAL but does not bow to any one era, "school," or region: simply, this is masterful songwriting coupled with utterly crushing production, all while proudly being "just" death metal. Granted, there's a fine number of balances across the album - melodic vs. gutted, blastbeaten vs. doomed-out, headbanging vs. skullcrushing - but everything is done in service of the song. Each one explodes from the speakers and twists 'n' turns in ways unique to it, with all 12 tracks combining to create a swift but immediately memorable experience. And now with the band slated to play this year's HELLS HEADBASH Part 3 and more live assaults on the way, SHED THE SKIN are poised to exert their dominance on the death metal scene: no better time, then, to indoctrinate to Harrowing Faith!