Skindred, Big Tings - album review

On this, their seventh LP since 2002's debut Babylon, things are perhaps a brush heavier than before and it fits keenly the title they have bestowed upon it.

Big Tings is full of huge guitar riffs, spine shaking percussion and the rowdy choruses they have the unquestionable knack of writing.

Last Chance has a swagger and beauty about it that screams a band at the top of their game. It's loud and brash and unashamed about it. A real scratch of a sound that can cure any itch with its growling melodies.

And this time around they've got some friends along to help as well. The gritty, distorted and fully fun-time single Machine is part frolic around the dancefloor, part metal thrust down the listener's throat. Reef frontman Gary Stringer joins Benji Webb on vocal duties, and there is also a quick 'hello' from Motorhead's Phil Campbell who drops in to slap us with a tantalising guitar solo.

The Newport boys have clearly set out here to have some fun. It's like a lightbulb moment for them, a sudden desire to let loose and put everything they have energy-wise into a deliciously tight collection of tracks.

Broken Glass has more of a funk undertone to outline this approach. The beat-powered verses that open up into stomping interludes will get even the drunkest of the party slapping in time on a Saturday night in the rock club dungeon.

The title track has the same style, too. The big drum opening is reminiscent of Dizzee Rascal's Fix Up, Look Sharp. But from then on we slam back into the cauldron of dancing nu-metal that much of this record entails. You can't help but tap/dance/nod along. It's infectious.

That's My Jam again encourages us to join in. An almost Deftones, distorted backdrop powers the music as another funk-fused underbelly dances along under the guitars. Webb's guttural rapping pops up for a gritty vocal towards the end and this fits in nicely with the party vibe reverberating around it.

Rating: 8/10

Skindred appeared at Birmingham's O2 Institute last night