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REVIEW – Tim Skold is such an underrated musician. Ask most industrial bands out these days what album influenced them, and most will cite Violent New Breed by SHOTGUN MESSIAH. I know for me that is in my top ten albums that came out in the 90’s. (Think about that for a second, look at what the 90’s produced music wise, that is a huge statement) His SKOLD debut solo record 1996’s Skold, I felt was criminally underrated. As songs like “Chaos” showed that industrial punk vibe with attitude galore. But, then you had the more subtle alternative like sound of songs like “Void” and “Remember”. Five years after the release of Anomie comes the follow up The Undoing. I’ve been excited to see what SKOLD’s mind is ever since the rumors 2 years ago that this record was coming. I have to say, this is by far his best solo work to date. You have the industrial rock feel with some very dark overtones. The Undoing can almost be seen as the soundtrack to SKOLD’s career so far. The record opens with “Triumph Of The Will” which has some very catchy beats and this goth tone that felt inspired by his KMFDM input. This is the perfect opening track as it will win fans over and keeps them anticipating the next song. Songs like “Wake Up and Die” and “Chasing Demons” sound like they could have bonus tracks on Violent New Breed. “Wake Up and Die” is “P.A.M.F” evil twin. It is that rock song that while it it pretty straight forward, it makes you happy that SKOLD still respects his rock and roll roots. “Chasing Demons” has some of the sickest distorted beats and these synthesizers that just truly take over the landscape and create a musical orgasm.
I have been on the SKOLD bandwagon since SHOTGUN MESSIAH’s Violent New Breed and I feel that The Undoing is a love letter to his fans. SKOLD creates an album that does not try to follow a trend, but just is comfortable in its own skin. You have the uptempo rockers that just make you want to turn it up louder and louder than the mid tempo songs that show his delivery is still passionate and heartfelt as it has ever been. SKOLD is not out to reinvent the wheel, he is just out to make the ride on it more comfortable. For fans, who cited Violent New Breed as their biggest influence… just wait until you see what SKOLD is up to these days! What a great album by a man whose career is defined by many of them.
