Whether you’ve actually listened to their music or not, Skinless are just one of those bands that any fan of extreme metal has heard of one time or another. And for damn good reason. The band recently put out their fifth full length album entitled, ‘Only The Ruthless Remain’ via Relapse Records, if you haven’t checked it out yet then I highly suggest you do so now. I mean literally, like, right NOW. We reached out for an email interview with the guys from Skinless, and were fortunate enough to get some answers back from the band’s vocalist, Sherwood Webber. We talk Maryland Deathfest, the new album and more. You cn check it out after the jump.
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Q – I recently saw you guys perform at this year’s Maryland Deathfest, being your first time back since 2011. I personally enjoyed the set, but how do you feel about it looking back?
Sherwood – It was a killer SKINLESS set, when we hit the stage it’s complete mayhem, the way it should be. We have a lot of maniacs out there that love to party like we love to party. Beer soaked death metal brutality. That’s what it’s all About, SKINLESS- MANIA!!!! Also performing with all our friends, Mortal Decay, Internal Bleeding, Origin, Devourment, that’s a brutal death metal fans dream come true!!! SO yeah, perfect show. Thanks MDF!!!
Q – “Only The Ruthless Remain” was released back on June 2nd via Relapse Records, the band’s first in nine years. How has the overall reception for it bee so far?
Sherwood – Huge, very excited to have been able to make a SKINLESS record for SKINLESS fans!! We’re not trying to win any awards or change the genre, we want to do what we do best and slam some beer in the process. That’s our goal, to make SKINLESS music for SKINLESS fans ( ourselves included).
Q – “Only The Ruthless Remain” is the first releases since the ‘Miscreant’ EP to feature the classic lineup from the first two records. How did this lineup come back together, and what made writing the new album different from the previous two?
Sherwood – Not quite true, George Torres joined us on the Miscreant EP, so that wasn’t the classic lineup. First record since Foreshadowing Our Demise with the classic lineup and secret weapon ( Dave). Dave made the writing process different but it very much felt like the Progression Towards Evil / Foreshadowing Our Demise era. I’m content to live in that world until we all fucking die. No reason to re-write the book. We take our direction from Bolt Thrower, do what you do best, fuck the rest!!!
Q – One thing I noticed while listening to the new album was that you’ve started to incorporate guitar solos, which I don’t remember much of on previous releases, if any at all. Was it a conscious decision going into writing the album, or did it just come more naturally this time around?
Sherwood – It’s all about Dave, he rounded out our arsenal.
Q – What was the initial idea behind the artwork for “Only The Ruthless Remain”, and what led to the decision to have Ken Sarafin do it?
Sherwood – Noah was largely responsible for the concept and Ken nailed it. It’s very classic death metal.
Q – You premiered the music video for the song ‘Skinless’ through bloodydisgusting.com, how did that all come about?
Sherwood – Great, it’s a badass video with a cool plot. It’s a lot of fun to watch and we’re no playing in a warehouse ( like most death metal videos) so that’s cool.
Q – Are there any plans for Sherwood to do another Black Denver Sky festival? The lineups were stacked…
Sherwood – Yes, December 5th 2015, working it out now, SKINLESS is confirmed to return to Denver for this one.
Q – What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended that you did not play?
Sherwood – Prince – Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO, or Bolt Thrower in Tilburg, NL.
Q – What are some of your favorite music releases from the past year?
Sherwood – AC/DC Rock Or Bust, Dead Congregation – Promulgation of the Fall.
Q – Now that the album is out, what’s next for Skinless?
Sherwood – Play some shows, slam beers, step and repeat as we write the next one. Thanks !
