[.ca] Skull

If you like early Black Sabbath . . .:
then this is for you. This album was originally released in 1985, and it is one of my favorites! A typical Trouble album: slow, solemn, and bonecrushingly heavy. Songs like 'The Skull' and 'The Wish' are extremely dire, even gut wrenching. Sometimes I think that has to be one of the most emotional rock records I have ever heard, from both a lyrical and musical stadpoint. The band was dubbed a christian group, referring to the lyrics, but in reality they are inspirational in nature, much different that the satanic/death themes that were prevelant with speed metal bands at the time. The songs don't grab you right away, but after a while they begin to grow on you. If you are looking for something trendy, hip, easy to listen to, and cool to show your friends don't bother. This record deals with emotions that as humans we wished we never would experience.

How do you follow up a masterpiece?:
It was going to take a lot to follow up Psalm 9. I bought Psalm 9 and The Skull when they first came out. Psalm 9 was just jaw-droppingly unique. Definitely in the top 3 metal albums of the 80's. The crying guitars just pulled your guts out. Back then it was the heaviest thing I'd ever heard. I swore I'd never hear anything heavier. Of course the next year Celtic Frost came out with Morbid Tales, but that's another story. Anyway The Skull was a complete success. I didn't think they had any shot but they came very close to matching the brilliance of Psalm 9. Crushingly heavy (for the time) with the same feel, but the songs were unique and not copies of Psalm 9. If you liked Psalm 9 you'll like The Skull ... and probably Trouble's 1990 self-titled release. Those are the three best.

Being a longstanding Trouble fan...........:
I have to say that this is the most disappointing album that this group ever recorded. Psalm 9 and Run to the Light are vastly superior to this album. Some of the songs grow on you, but this album seems very juvenile in relation to their other work. Don't get me wrong, this group is probably the most underated group in the music industry. I would recommend buying it to complete your Trouble collection.

• Pray for the Dead
• Fear No Evil
• Wish
• Truth Is, What Is
• Wickedness of Man
• Gideon
• Skull