UTP Album Review: For The California Hardcore Championship

Skin Like Iron/Nails split 7" (2012, self-released)

For the past few years, Oxnard's Nails have been blazing a path of sonic destruction, putting out two blink-and-you'll-miss them albums. I dare say full length, since their total recorded output since 2009 clocks in at under half an hour. Nails have rooted their sound in quick bursts of very thrashy hardcore, rarely slowing down and breaking the 1:30 mark. And on the rare occasions they do, expect the song to be very breakdown heavy.

cover art by Alex Capasso 

San Francisco's Skin Like Iron sort of remind me of a band from my neck of the woods, Doomriders. Only, without the doom metal aspects, less skateboarding references, and a bit catchier in the hooks department. They've been a little more prolific than their cohorts on this split, putting out numerous full-lengths and EPs since forming a few years ago

But let's get down to tacks, and talk about this slab of vinyl. It's co-self released by both bands, for starters. The artwork is handled by Skin Like Iron frontman Alex Capasso. They take the a-side here, and start with "Disappear", which could basically be seen as an intro track. Much like other openers from their past, it whines its way in with feedback, before building up to the first verse. The bridge towards the end is probably the best bit of this track. Their other track, "The Parade", gets down to business quickly, pounding away at an intro before thrashing about for another two minutes. The first few times, I thought the end of the track was a false end, and would kick into another bridge. Apparently I was wrong.

Flipping over to side B, Nails contribute with barely two songs, but I'll get into that later. The first 1:48 of "Annihilation" sounds like a continuation of the fury, speed, and anger they displayed on their last album, 2010's "Unsilent Death". Lyrically, it's  a call to bloody revolution against government. They then kick it down a gear into an absolutely pounding breakdown. Similar to most of their slower output, this will send the listener into a fit of headbanging. It then abruptly kicks back into the chorus before finishing off at breakneck speed. Their other track, "Cry Wolf", seems almost like an afterthought. It's a giant, loud "fuck you" to an unnamed person, and at 0:24 in length, leaves you wanting so much more.

The verdict? I'll come out and admit I'm a huge Nails fan, but Skin Like Iron steal the show here. Mostly because there's much more music on their side. I'd definitely recommend picking this up if you find a copy. All in all, it's a little over 9 minutes of pounding hardcore by two of the best bands out there right now. 

Pressing info: 1000 7" vinyl. 100 blue (tour exclusive), 900 black. Available through nailsmerch.com, skinlikeiron.bigcartel.com, All In, and on tour.