They have been around for 13 years. I have seen them several times across the country, and yet I will admit that I would struggle to name a song by Skam. That will change with this album, for From The Depths is a true piece of quality hard rock that will surely ensure higher levels of exposure.
Skam – From The Depths (Independent/Earache Digital Distribution)
Release Date: 29 November 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
If you want a crunchy riff, look no further than the pulsing opener Rising Fever. This is a hook-laden starter for ten, guaranteed to get the head nodding and feet tapping. With a lingering chorus that stays inside the head for days, the Leicester trio have crafted a song that surely ranks amongst the best of 2024.
Rising Fever is perfectly executed, with a sweet production that allows the instruments time to breathe yet maintains the song’s vibrant urgency. Steve Hill’s vocals are rich and full, ably supported by backing harmonies from bassist Matt Gilmour and drummer Neal Hill.
It is a powerful opening that continues with the huge drum sound on Another Way Out, a song that bristles with the same power as Rising Fever. These are songs to sing along to but work equally well in many settings.
You can drive fast to this album, join in as you walk to work or simply grab a drink, put your feet up and turn it up to 11.
But this is not simply a hard rocker of an album. No, there are plenty of colours in Skam’s palette. The driving ride of Fate Of The Souls pushes the limits, and the expansive style of Clouds provides a different dimension whilst there is a groove that is addictive on the piledriver, Travesty.
Over the ten songs and 44 minutes that is From The Depths, Skam repeatedly demonstrate why they remain one of the most reliable yet underrated bands in the UK hard rock scene.
The songs on From The Depths are played with a confidence that only comes from hard work, constant touring and honing of their art.
Inevitably, they throw in a calmer track or two, and this time, it is the emotive Face Down that fills that place. This is no soppy love song, though, but a smouldering song that increases in tempo and ensures that their rocky edge remains sharp.
Every album should contain one curve ball, and on From The Depths, it is the title track that does this. At a majestic eight and a half minutes long, it dwarfs the other tracks completely in duration. It is also a fabulously worked and delivered song that explodes into a heavy monster of a track, with Neal Hill’s relentless drumming pushing the pace.
Full of oceanic mystery and myths, it rolls along at such a tempo that it is over almost before it starts. A superb storytelling epic, this deserves to be heard by everyone.
In fact, I have had it on repeat for days.
Fantastically played, From The Depths is an album that genuinely deserves every plaudit it receives and more.
There is nothing more to say. As hard rock albums go, then it gets no better than this.
