Skam – From The Depths

Skam
From The Depths
Label: Self-release / Earache Digital Distribution
Out: November 29^th, 2024
Playing time: 44:37

They hail from Leicester (East Midlands, UK), the musicians of Hard Rock power trio Skam. Formed in 2011, the band has a reputation for playing straightforward, powerful and classic-sounding Rock music. And they have established themselves as a serious live band. To date, they have released three studio albums as well as several EPs and singles. The last album so far, ‘The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard’ (a concept album from 2017), was released some time ago. The current fourth album ‘From The Depths’ can therefore be described as a comeback.

Skam go all out right from the beginning. ‘Rising Fever’ starts without any frills. Straightforward Hard Rock is offered. This doesn’t change much on ‘Another Way Out’ either. Powerful guitar playing dominates. The drums are rhythmic and don’t push themselves into the foreground. There are fast, hard riffs on ‘Fate Of The Souls’. These are rhythmic on ‘Selfish Friend’. As soon as the vocals kick in, some of the pressure is taken away. And there are also beautiful guitar melodies to be heard, as the somewhat calmer ‘Clouds’ proves. But here, too, hard riffs occasionally come into their own. At the beginning of ‘Travesty’ there is a calm bass line accompanied by guitars. A strong guitar solo crowns the song. And so it goes on. Whether ‘Die For You’ or ‘The Grind’ – varied and powerful Hard Rock. Only ‘Face Down’ is an exception. This song is quieter and very melodic. The title track ‘From The Depths’, which lasts more than eight and a half minutes, follows at the end. After a very calm introduction, there is an occasional change in tempo and rhythm. Sometimes with galloping guitars. So, Skam have saved the best for last.

‘From The Depths’ is an extremely successful album. Skam celebrate classic no-frills Hard Rock. There is somehow a big hit missing. Nevertheless, the songwriting, musical realisation and production are at a high level. However, I’m not entirely happy with the album’s artwork. It does fit the album title. But I find the graphic realisation less successful.

Skam – Rising Fever: https://youtu.be/PCHplCh4r-U?si=zUU8E143zxRtpMDg

Lineup:

Steve Hill – Guitar, Vocals
Matt Gilmore – Bass, Backing Vocals
Neal Hill – Drums, Backing Vocals

Track list:

• Rising Fever
• Another Way Out
• Fate Of The Souls
• Selfish Friend
• Clouds
• Travesty
• Die For You
• The Grind
• Face Down
• From The Depths