Oh. Another band-biography huh? Well, this one is worth reading!
On Dec 5th 2007 the Swedish independant cult metal band Skellington released their long awaited debut album "Last Human Standing" which surprisingly went directly to No 1 (!) at the big, Scandinavian Megastores website as "Most Bought Heavy Metal Album" - and as No 12 at their actual Top 20 List (!) right behind legendary Bruce Springsteen and many other world fameous artists! And hey, this is a band that has no PR machinery or whatsoever to back them up - so one might wonder how this could be happening...?
Formed in Stockholm, Sweden in the year 2000, Skellington is a metal band that has developed an identity of their own throughout the years. Good reviews and a good reputation as an exploding live act has given them an underground reputation - although mostly because of the bands demos that has given them fans not only in Sweden but also in other countries.
Always chosing their own path rather than following others, the band makes traditional/untraditional "heavy metal" they way nobody else really does it in the 21st century. In lack of better words, they fill a gap - or "something" - in modern metal. Something that dares to be free in spirit, true at heart - and to not just follow trends all the time. Different. Yet, so very familiar. Skellington is the perfect natural link between the old school and the new school of Heavy Metal.
The bands underground reputation has slowly grown since the very first Skellington demo, "First Blood, First Demo" (2001). Including their former band member and old time friend Bo "Chaq Mol" Karlsson (today a member of black metal gigants Dark Funeral and his own - wicked! - project Mordichrist) as well as the bands highly appreciated and totally outstanding cult-cover of the old KISS classic "Love Gun". Made for just the fun of it, it was not only re-arranged, but also kind of re-translated and re-named into "Stor Kuk" - which is swedish for Big Cock!;) That first demo got great reviews in metal magazines, and it slowly grew to become some kind of cult-phenomenon here and there in Sweden.
After playing a bit more live gigs and slowly building up the bands strength an ambitious second demo was recorded live in the studio 2004. Now with only four members (Jac, Göran, Tommy and Andy) and no lead guitarist, it was actually a whole album concept demo of 50 minutes! The final result was ok, but the sound didnt really capture the true essence of Skellington. The band wanted to develope a darker, heavier and crunchier sound and had felt they needed more guitars, so in 2005 they found Joakim Norlander on lead guitar. The band could now start to approach their song material in a more proper way as always intended. After a fast recording in only two days in a rehearsal room Skellington released their third demo in March 2006: "Demo Diablo" which were printed in one thousand copies and spread all over Sweden. Suddenly something was happening! The band..s reputation started to grow a hell of a lot more since that "Demo Diablo" in 2006 and it was a big step forward and Skellington were now ready to take on their debut album!
On December 5th 2007 Skellington finally released their long awaited debut album "Last Human Standing" - which is A SMASHING EXPERIENCE for any true metal fan around the world! The album directly went No 1 at the big, fameous (Scandinavian) Megastores website as "Most Bought Heavy Metal CD", right before Hardcore Superstar, Nightwish, Helloween, Soilwork etc. And as No 12 at "Most Bought CDs" among artists like Bruce Springsteen, Carola, Kent, Per Gessle, Cascada, Marie Fredriksson and other house hold names! As this is written, the band is still No 1 as "Most Bought Heavy Metal CD" for over three weeks in a row!
Its an album where the actual heart and core of Metal Music has been found once and for all. Skellington succeed in putting together all their influences from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and update it with 21st century modern metal music into a package of their own. With their own fingerprints and signature all over. Skellington manage to break free from all the usual typical music business trends of today and instead they more or less re-invent so called "heavy metal" on the album. Its very hard to describe. It must be heard. It must be felt. Its where raw old-school metal becomes up-dated with the modern 21st century grooves. In short: Skellington is the long lost missing link between all things metal! Their smashing debut album "Last Human Standing" includes 16 original tracks that is meant to be played in no other way but ULTRA-LOUD!!! (Possibly also with lots of beer...;)
So well, here I have been trying to make You understand what this great band is all about, but I do realize when it comes to The Skellington Sound YOU EITHER "GET IT" OR YOU DONT...;)
- Harry Hammerhead (Skellington Metalheads United Fan Club)
