Customer Reviews

Revolting Room

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I agree with some of the reviers about Skinlab. They are truly incredible and totalyy underated as a Metal-Speed Metal band.

Their songs are at the same time fast, loud, and yet soothing to people who like complex patterns of sound and enjoy music that gets their heart racing.

While the names of their albums may keep away POP fans, this group has a wonderful quality and complexity to their music.

Give them a listen and listen to more then 1 song and you might be pleasantly surprised if you like loud, fast music.

Best Regards to All, MC -TheStickRules.Com

I own all 3 Skinlab albums, and their 1st two CDs are among my favorite metal CDs. Somehow, however, Skinlab have managed to improve upon their earlier works with "reVolting Room", a metal materpiece that nearly solidifies their place as the best metal band around today.

While Skinlab's previous albums were heavy, "reVolting Room" is even heavier yet. Many of the same vocal styles are present on this CD (esp. the low, dark vocs), but a lot of the singing is much more aggressive, similar to hardcore or death metal. The guitar work is much the same as "Bound, Gagged ..." and "Disembody...", which is to say that it is exceptional.

Every song on this album is amazing. Some of the best include Slave the Way, Disturbing The Art Of Expression, Take As Needed, and, my new favorite, Purify. In my opinion, "reVolting Room" shares the spot for best CD of '02 with Soilwork's "Natural Born Chaos" and The Crown's "Crowned in Terror". Also, if you like Skinlab, check out the band Scar Culture

...if you're a moron. Though Skinlab's never been the most talented band, they have done well for a hardcore nu-metal band and Revolting Room is a nice addition to their work.

One issue with hardcore bands is the never-ending progression most eventually make from screaming vocals to clean singing (Nothingface, Slipknot, Diecast are all examples of this.) Unfortunately, many bands fail to make this transition appealing. While Skinlab, like the aforementioned, does have more clean singing on this album than previous works, the progression is generally smooth. This welcomed transition adds to Skinlab's maturity as a band, setting them apart from angsty nu metal bands like Korn, Slipknot, Ill Nino, etc.

Additionally, the overall production quality is improved over other albums, and the vocalist's screams (where applicable) are even harsher than previously. What the screaming may lack in duration it makes up for in intensity.
As for the instrumentation, it, like the vocals, is generally mellower than on previous works with approximately the same talent value. It's not astounding (most nu metal isn't), but each part complements the others well enough for it not to matter much.

The biggest criticism of this album is that not all of the songs are great, and since there are only 10 tracks, it's difficult to be as forgiving as if the CD had 14 or so. 'Anthem for a Fallen Star,' 'Take as Needed,' and 'Come n Get It' aren't the greatest tracks ever, but decent enough to listen to. 'Slave the Way,' 'Disturbing the Art of Expression,' 'Purify,' 'Jesus Sells,' and 'One of Us' are all excellent, however.

If you're looking for a constant screamfest, Revolting Room will disappoint you, as it's roughly half singing and half screaming. Otherwise, Revolting Room is one of the better hardcore/nu-metal albums to pick up.

One last thing I will address: Some people associate Skinlab with early Machine Head and others try to claim that they too have sold out like Machine Head. For one, Skinlab never sounded very much like Machine Head (the former is clearly nu metal and the latter 80s styled-thrash) and for two, Skinlab hasn't significantly changed enough to merit them as "sellouts." Ignore people who claim otherwise.

its hard to compare this album to the other two. but "Revolting Room" is very good. i think its their most complex and well written album. i guess you could call this album a very dark version of Tool. the whole album ties in together very well, you have to listen to it from start to finish.

Skinlab's latest outing was a triumphant return to the metal scene. Though, it still is not as good as "Disembody..." it has their best song, 'Purify'. Buy it.

after their powerful debut "bound, gagged & blindfolded" skinlab were often dismissed as a machine head/pantera ripoff (which is an unfair judgment, they entirely aren't). this is about to change with revolting room. being as edgy and heavy as ever, they filled their songs with moods and emotions, that doesn't mean they have gotten softer or more commercial (like the aforementioned machine head). also vocalist steev esquivel has expanded his vocal abilities quite a bit, ranging from dark half-spoken parts to aggressive pitbull-like screams reminiscent of vision of disorder when they still were heavy. lyrically, it is a mature piece, approaching themes as drug addiction and suicide from an angry, yet differanciated angle and completely avoiding nu-metal like angst schemes. musically it is also excellent, there aren't many bands with an superb cutting guitarsound like skinlab, combined with excellent drumming and bass playing. revolting rooms shows what skinlab can really do, and it leaves the likes of the once excellent but now mediocre machine head far behind. standout tracks are come get it, slave the way, take as needed and never giving in. highly recommended

Recently, I heard about the lack of creativity in the metal world due to the over-done, terrible remix bug. Well, guess what? I know of one band that can kick a heavy tune without the remix. Yes, from the ones who brought America one of the best metal albums in the country (Disembody: The New Flesh) is the next in a long line of great metal compilations. Revolting Room continues the heaviness that Skinlab made very prevalent on "Disembody". This album contains some heavy guitar work and some, as a good friend of mine would say, sick double bass work (Slave the Way). This album by far kills the prior disgust I was beginning to feel in the metal genre. It's heavy, it's metal, what more can I say...IT... RULES!!!

This band is fantastic. They are the best band you know nothing about. Watch for them to break big in 2002/2003. This album will rival other major lable debut's. They are fantastic live as well and put forth 110%. These guys want to entertain. You will not be disappointed. Check them out now while you can still get tickets. These guys are the same old Nu-Metal, they have strong songwriting and grinding guitars.

You can probably consider Skinlab one of the most underrated metal bands of recent times. You never hear anything about them at all. At least I don't. Skinlab was brought to my attention when I was looking through the "S" section of a local CD store and came upon the somewhat sickly-looking album cover of "Disembody: The New Flesh." I went home and sampled some songs from that album on the Internet and decided they were definitely worth buying so I went back and bought that album. Since then Skinlab has been in and out of my CD player many times. They are very pleasing when you just want to listen to something that is fairly heavy. With the release of "Revolting Room" Skinlab proves to stay true to their sound. Skinlab has not added a DJ or featured a rap artist to make their sound more appealing to the fans of rap-metal that so dominates the mainstream radio and television. They've stayed metal and I know will continue to do so. The first 3 songs on "Revolting Room" are some definiate favorites of mine by Skinlab. After the intro the album kicks off with "Come Get It." A really awesome, heavy song with some really cool lyrics. After that is the high point of the album for me: "Slave The Way". This song just rocks. Pure, untouched metal. The main riff in that song is just rockin' and the aggressive vocals and double-bass action just makes me want to get up and start thrashing. Another thing that Skinlab was always good at was making emotional or sad songs without making them sounding whimpy or whiney. The tracks "Purify" and "Disturbing The Art of Expression" both prove this. After those songs there are other awesome songs like "Jesus Cells" and "Take As Needed" and "Never Give In". There was two songs on this album that I thought were OK, but didn't live up to the other good songs were "Anthem For a Fallen Star" and "One Of Us." These songs I still listen to, but just don't like as much. Other than that Skinlab has assembled themselves quite a satisfying album for heavy music fans.

eh..i've had this cd since it came out and i just can't get into it. i liked the first skinlab album, and the second wasn't too bad, but i'm not a fan of this album at all. some of the songs kick..., but i don't remember which ones. this won't be spending too much time in my cd player. start with bound gagged and blindfolded.