Num Skull - Ritually Abused
Having been given a recent reissue by Relapse Records. The ultra super rare debut album from Num Skull is finally avalible to buy again much to the joy of Thrash Metal connoisseur's everywhere. Being thrown around on forum's and message board's as a classic along with every other album that didn't go on to be massive. I think "Classic" is a bit of a far fetched term but it is a under rated gem. It sounds it's age which adds to the charm. There's some fantastic riffs and lead work from Tom Brandner and Eric Seiller and the vocals from Skip McGullam are a shrieky bark. The album catches quite nicely the point where Thrash Metal evolved into Death Metal, this album if anything serves as a classic example of the bridge between the two sub genre's. It also has that raw murky production which gives the album a dark feel simular to Dark Angel's Darkness Descends (this writer's favorite Thrash album for what it's worth) Also I just want to point out I LOVE the artwork!
"No Morals" is fantastic. The riff during the chorus is just excellent. (check out the bonus track which features the same riff, perhaps an early prototype, I'm not sure) The opening of "Friday's Child" is bound to get your head nodding, this track also highlight's the awesome drumming of Jeff McGullam. Why that guy never went on to be a hundred different bands is anyone's guess.
All in all this is a great Thrash album which Thrash fans old and new should embrace, and if your one of the few people who actually did get it first time around maybe it's time to dig it out again. It's aged wonderfully. The only complaint I have is that it is a reissue and it could have got the reissue treatment, some liner notes, photo's and a few extra bonus tracks for example, it's quite bare bones. That's my only gripe. Nit picking as it is.
Not essential for your collection but a well worthy addition well worth checking out. A cult Clasic! There you go!
"No Morals" is fantastic. The riff during the chorus is just excellent. (check out the bonus track which features the same riff, perhaps an early prototype, I'm not sure) The opening of "Friday's Child" is bound to get your head nodding, this track also highlight's the awesome drumming of Jeff McGullam. Why that guy never went on to be a hundred different bands is anyone's guess.
All in all this is a great Thrash album which Thrash fans old and new should embrace, and if your one of the few people who actually did get it first time around maybe it's time to dig it out again. It's aged wonderfully. The only complaint I have is that it is a reissue and it could have got the reissue treatment, some liner notes, photo's and a few extra bonus tracks for example, it's quite bare bones. That's my only gripe. Nit picking as it is.
Not essential for your collection but a well worthy addition well worth checking out. A cult Clasic! There you go!
1. The End
2. Ritually Abused
3. Death And Innosence
4. No Morals
5. Friday's Child
6. Off With Your Head
7. The Henchmen
8. Pirate's Night
9. Turn Of A Screw
10. Kiss Me, Kill Me
11. Rigor Mortis
12. Murdered By The Minister
2. Ritually Abused
3. Death And Innosence
4. No Morals
5. Friday's Child
6. Off With Your Head
7. The Henchmen
8. Pirate's Night
9. Turn Of A Screw
10. Kiss Me, Kill Me
11. Rigor Mortis
12. Murdered By The Minister
Label: http://www.relapse.com
Reviewer: twansibon
Oct 30, 2014
Oct 30, 2014
Next review:
Nerocapra - Mefisto Manna
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