Annihilation Time…Skin Like Iron and NAILS 7″ Split Review

What the unholy hell, 2011 isn’t even over and I have already found one for my 2012 top 6 split list. These songs are so fucking live that they have the power to bring the undead back to life and then kill them again and again. Skin Like Iron and NAILS have united for one of the raddest 7″ inches I have ever heard, and will be out Jan 31st via both bands. Skin Like Iron are the jump off, with two off the chain melodic hardcore anthems that have layer after layer of catchy rhythm. What’s super cool is this band is able to write songs that are full of caustic emotion that touches your soul and gets you pumped at the same time. When you hear their song “Disappear,” you will be able to hear exactly what I’m talking about. Skin Like Iron’s compositions have the power to make you believe in yourself – when the world keeps knocking you down, these dudes will slap you with the power of self! I’m so impressed with guitar playing, and how it speaks to the listener just as much as the vocals, but at the core of Skin Like Iron are the driving drum beats.

Next up are the two songs by the almighty NAILS – hot fucking hell, this band proves why they are nothing to be fucked with. Guard your skull, because these tunes have the force to decapitate you. If this band keeps creating songs like these, their soon to be released album will be one of the top albums of next year. The first song is “Annihilation,” which makes you feel like you are being pulled behind an 18-wheeler at full speed, with your flesh leaving behind a trail of hardcore joy! NAILS killed it with this tune – it’s pure punishment, and the drumming, combined with riffage, creates this sonic torture chamber that you never want to leave. They totally wreck shop with their next composition, “Cry Wolf”; everything about this song has the tornado effect, which means it destroys everything in it’s path. Skin Like Iron and NAILS deserve to be on their own list of rawness, and it’s killer to see two bands unite to make something special. Honestly, this was a very satisfying listening experience that leaves me wanting to hear more from both bands!