Amalgamation II compiles together the three self-released cassette recordings from Skin Like Iron. These recordings were originally released separate from each other beginning last year; they were ultimately brought together in a limited edition cassette box set before the good people at Free Cake Records saw fit to offer them up in CD format.
The first nine tracks are culled from the Myths recording, also known to be the band's demo recording. As noted in the previous review of this material, these songs are dark, raw, and sludgy. However, one aspect that my colleague neglected to focus on was the ferocity to the music, which, however, does not outshine the heaviness. It seems like it'd be a paradox - and it probably is - but that's the best way to describe the sounds of Skin Like Iron. The band sounds like The Melvins covering Black Flag songs
no lie. The closing track "Crippled Lips" sees guitarists Paul Ehat and Alex Capasso experimenting with their less obvious influences as they integrate excessive amounts of feedback and minimalistic instrumentation.
Three tracks from Conquest follow and they're equally as devastating to the ears. There is an increased emphasis of the low end in the rhythm section - bassist Blaine Patrick and drummer Drew Vaughn as well. Furthermore, the band extends their experimentation by incorporating more droning riffs and feedback. This results in songs that are more than twice the previous length. Despite these alterations the music still falls within the frame of what preceded them, but they've got enough personality to remain distinct.
Amalgamation II is rounded out by the six songs that made up Wisdom. These songs have a bit more in common with the first recording than they do with the middle material. Skin Like Iron drive these songs with excellent guitar work, which is rooted in the sounds of Black Flag and Infest, but also incorporate the more metal sounds of Integrity from time to time. These recordings make me very intrigued in what else is to come from Skin Like Iron
Capasso also handles the vocal duties for Skin Like Iron. His delivery is a throaty bark that brings to mind Chris Colohan. Lyrically, Capasso vents on a variety of topics, but his manner of delivery is rather poetic. Take this excerpt from "Design a Disguise:"
A snake speaks the truth, a halo is just a hoop / The light that shines is not divine / It's a shameless disguise / A shameless disguise, a shameless disguise / Some things cannot hide
Skin Like Iron is yet another in a long long line of fine hardcore bands coming from the Bay Area. This discography of their early material is a great introduction to the band and should be an immediate purchase for anyone that craves gritty, raw, and fast punk/hardcore. And if you love it, you should pick up their new 10" and upcoming split 7". And who knows, maybe you can attempt to coax someone into selling their cassette copies
but I doubt they'll part with them.
