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SKELETOR
Mental State

Self-released (2023)
Rating: 6/10

I’m unsure as to why this Netherlands death metal act has been so sporadic with its releases since forming in 2004; their self-titled debut full-length opus from Skeletor was released 13 years ago! I guess life just gets in the way sometimes but it’s good to have the combo back, although the band have stated that Mental State is their “final album”.

To an extent Skeletor is a rather strange outfit. The varying line-up changes over the years suggests they have never truly found their sound, and this time round there still appears to be some upheaval. Whether this album is the true sound of Skeletor I will never know. The death and thrash metal strains seem to cavort with an almost groove metal thesis that doesn’t always sit right with me, and that’s mainly due to the vocal retorts of guitarist Bram Peters. His bruising, muscular and confrontational barks tend to grate at times as they veer towards a hardcore, streetwise chop not too far removed from the likes of Pro-Pain.

Tracks such as ‘Skeletor Salvation’ offer a nice crisp thrashy chug, while a song such as ‘Pounder’ has a groove metal judder to its angst. Sadly, the album becomes rather generic all too quickly as it unravels and there are no real surprises or deviations from the brute force approach.

Bram’s vocals have shifted since the 2015 EP Bastards Of The Universe, but still remain in that shouty tone. Imagine then if you will a mix of Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Pantera, which is all rather regressive, in your face, unapologetic and at times limited even with the varying influences. Arguably delivered in the wrong era, Mental State is a humourless and angry slab for those who still like to flex their muscles to metal.

Neil Arnold

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