Skull – Abyss Calls to Abyss (Dark Occult Metalpunk)
You know, at first, I was working on a review for a Swedish crust band, until my detailed analysis revealed I actually didn’t like it at all. The usual, strained attempt at sounding brutally poignant and revolutionary at the same time, born from the typical economic constraints, ugh we’ve all heard that and we know it doesn’t lead to anything but virtue signaling. Remember, I told myself, you only focus on the best! Never the average! Luckily, I had Italy’s Skulld next on the list, which covered the female-fronted angle, if that matters to you, but to such a greater degree the other, which I shall not name out of respect for the band, was tossed into the trash (figuratively). Though they claim at least a partial, political bent, Skulld heavily veils their ideas in myth and the occult, so you don’t have to worry about heavy-handed ideological smashing. This is merely a smashing in itself. What we need is primal purpose, not intent. Whatever you wish it to mean, can you deliver the sound? That’s far more critical.
If there’s a message in here, you can find it if you like, and you won’t without directly reading their thoughts on the matter. The most important detail is Skulld absolutely delivers musically far more than many of their Italian kin (Messa, ugh, comes to mind). Abyss Calls to Abyss definitely has a lot of thought behind it, but it’s the conviction that sells. Skulld gives a complete rundown in their own words, which merges death, “deviant” motherhood, and some other philosophical ramblings into a blackened, sacrificial form of punk. I won’t go into all the niceties of it, because for all of that depth, however, the melodic approach complete transcends any ideology. You could place whatever you want on top of it, because the meaning is elevated by the sound itself. Crust punk’s urgency for metaphorical revolution shines through with an ragged intensity, built primarily through Pamela’s unapologetic vocal delivery. The music also remains unpredictable, while never losing momentum, and the ideological bite is a slow-burn poison that digs into you before you’re aware it’s even there. Take that or leave it, however, since Skulld, and Abyss Calls to Abyss, is serious shit (in the good sense). This is going to be a 2026 essential for sure and it doesn’t matter what the meaning is.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Skulld – Abyss Calls to Abyss
Time to Kill Records
Cover Art: Roberto Toderico
4.6 / 5
