Sounding a lot like a hybrid between South American metal and Chicago death metal, Bleedskin make old school death metal with lots of heavy metal and some speed metal influences, but keep a unique perspective through what could otherwise be pure riff salad.

The Rotten One consists of five tracks with multiple primitive old school riffs in each, interspersed with moments of classic NWOBHM grandeur and speed metal rhythm transitions, underneath a grunting gurgle of Cannibal Corpse style vocals. Each composition stands out for the tension between strong choruses and an outpouring of riff combat.

Unlike most bands flowing through this review queue, Bleedskin can write songs, usually by picking a couple riffs and finding a tension between them, then filling in with tropes from heavy metal and some inventive, homebrew death metal riffing. The result creates a pervasive atmosphere of creative celebration of darkness and emptiness.

As our readers will undoubtedly point out, this band still presents itself like a local band. The name which sounds more appropriate for a nu-metal band, the high school art class cover photo, and the drift between styles can be solved with a few hard decisions and a little more confidence, something this band deserves to have.

Tags: bleedskin, death metal