Customer Reviews

The Skull (W/ Bonus DVD)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

then this is for you. This album was originally released in 1985, and it is one of my favorites! A typical Trouble album: slow, solemn, and bonecrushingly heavy. Songs like 'The Skull' and 'The Wish' are extremely dire, even gut wrenching. Sometimes I think that has to be one of the most emotional rock records I have ever heard, from both a lyrical and musical stadpoint. The band was dubbed a christian group, referring to the lyrics, but in reality they are inspirational in nature, much different that the satanic/death themes that were prevelant with speed metal bands at the time. The songs don't grab you right away, but after a while they begin to grow on you. If you are looking for something trendy, hip, easy to listen to, and cool to show your friends don't bother. This record deals with emotions that as humans we wished we never would experience.

It was going to take a lot to follow up Psalm 9. I bought Psalm 9 and The Skull when they first came out. Psalm 9 was just jaw-droppingly unique. Definitely in the top 3 metal albums of the 80's. The crying guitars just pulled your guts out. Back then it was the heaviest thing I'd ever heard. I swore I'd never hear anything heavier. Of course the next year Celtic Frost came out with Morbid Tales, but that's another story. Anyway The Skull was a complete success. I didn't think they had any shot but they came very close to matching the brilliance of Psalm 9. Crushingly heavy (for the time) with the same feel, but the songs were unique and not copies of Psalm 9. If you liked Psalm 9 you'll like The Skull ... and probably Trouble's 1990 self-titled release. Those are the three best.

Let me begin by saying, I am in a minority in rating this Trouble's best album, or even among their best two or three. I was drawn to this album immediately, first by its cover, and secondly by its dead-serious notes of melancholy. There is no question that later works show greater musicianship, diversity and innovation of songwriting, and "branching out" in themes and styles. At the same time, if you are looking for doom more than straight up heavy rock, this is superb.

I bought it in 1986 and I have never tired of listening to it pretty regularly, outlasting even most of my early Sabbath loves. Its excesses are also its excellences. 12 minute long songs about contemplating suicide, 6 minute long songs about the crucifixion, songs about praying for the dead. For those who like the tone-down on religion Trouble, avoid this. However, they have always been able to tackle religious themes as a matter of expression rather than proselytization, and this exemplifies that.

While this is still flat-out permeated with Sabbath, they do show more breaks and guitar runs from their first outing (Psalm 9), and one can see approaches to a doomy version of Iron Maiden here (though definitely gloomy and depressive rather than majestic).

In all, the seriousness of the songs wears one down, and while that may detract from the creativity of the work, it is designed to leave one exhausted rather than exhilarated. However, like all old Trouble, it ventures into themes of depression and condemnation, but always leaves a little room for light at the end of the tunnel. Things are dire, but not necessarily hopeless. One even finds moments approach liturgy here--litany-sorts of moanings at the end of the title song (and album closer), and similar "prayerish" moments at the end of Pray for the Dead. Two or three songs hint at being upbeat (a relative term)--Fear No Evil, Gideon, and Truth is, What is.
These lighten the mood only slightly, however, and the oppressive
air never dissipates.

Production improves on later albums. The sophomore effort shows in that regard. However, as singer Eric Wagner once said himself, while that was a great album at the time, he could never replicate it, and even had a hard time performing it later, as he simnply couldn't put himself into the pscychological place he was in when he wrote this. Simply put, it is unpolished in places, but it pulsates with a conviction that cannot be faked.

better than the trouble debut, better than anything by candlemass. this is like classic mercyful fate without the widdly bits and the soprano vocals. instead, trouble's singer is reminiscent of robert plant fronting dio era black sabbath. a hint of the beatles occasionally is noticeable, but fortunately not as often as would soon be the case.

These Trouble re-masters have been a long time coming,very much deserving of the remastered treatment (sorry,but the original Metal Blades sound like mud...) - for those that don't know,Trouble are/where some of the "founding fathers" so-to-speak of the post-Sabbath doom metal scene:when most everyone else was thrashing and playing at lightening speeds,Trouble cranked out down-tuned,heavy,catchy slow to mid tempo metal.Eric Wagner's vocals are a highlight,as he stays away from the Ozzy-worship and has his own distinct style.Anyway,whether you are a seasoned fan,or brand new to Trouble these first re-masters are a real treat and well worth the reasonable list-price.

i was around when this was brand new,& at the time i dismissed it as "sabbath clones" and "christian metal" - it didnt suck by any means,but just wasnt as "exciting" as the then-emerging thrash scene.
well,20 years later & time has proven this to be both a classic,and much better than what was released concurrently all those years ago.yes,their is a Sabbath influence here,but no they are not clones they have their own "style".
the only area where this lacks is the production - i felt it was kinda thin even then.this is due for a proper remaster!

The audio quality of this CD is excellent! You get all the great doom songs from The Skull at high decible levels! The DVD, which is a bonus, is not great, but this is the CD, not a DVD release. The re-release of Psalm 9 has better bonus DVD quality, but is only 20 minutes long, versus over an hour on The Skull DVD release.

TROUBLE - THE SKULL

On March 21, 1985, Metal Blade Records will release "The Skull" upon the world. The second album in less than a year from the Chicago based heavy metal band Trouble, it is being anxiously awaited by fans and the music press alike. It is an even heavier work then their classic debut album, yet the music is more detailed and the production is stronger. Trouble, is quite simply one of the heaviest bands of all time, creating a sensation in the world of metal with their ultra heavy music and their fresh approach to metal lyrics.

Trouble is influenced by the music it's members grew up on. Bands such as Budgie, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Iron Butterfly, The Doors, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath are all examples. These influences, together with their own ideas, came together to shape the band.

Over the years, the band have matured into an incredible live outfit. The many years of playing and practicing together really become evident when Trouble hit the stage. The powerful guitars of Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin grab your attention immediately. Both Rick (whose influences include Michael Schenker and Anthony Bourge) and Bruce (whose influences include Tony Iommi, Uli Jon Roth and Ritchie Blackmore) tune their guitars down from standard tuning to add even more crunch or `gunk', as they call it, to their sound. Gut wrenching rhythms, dynamic solos, wild vibrato bar work and incredible double leads abound. Without question one of the tightest teams in the business, yet each is an immensely talented musician in his own right, capable of the most subtle of touches where needed.

The rhythm section of Jeff `Oly' Olson and Sean McAllister is no less astounding. Seans's floor shaking bass lines combined with Oly pounding away at his huge 15 drum kit is an experience in itself. Sean (whose influences include Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler) is also the rowdiest member of the band on stage, always doing his best to out headbang the `bangers down front. Drummer / percussionist Jeff `Oly' Olson (whose influences include Bill Ward, Carl Palmer and Neil Peart) has a highly original approach to heavy metal drumming, evident in his playing style and his drumkit itself. He utilizes five bass drums, two in standard fashion, and three behind him which are tuned to different pitches and used as vertical timpanis. He is one of the hardest hitting drummers around and uses his huge kit more creatively with each show. His lengthy solo is one of the highlights of a Trouble performance. Topping all of this off are the raw edged vocals of Eric Wagner (whose influences include Ian Gillan, Jim Morrison and John Lennon). Eric is a truly original vocalist / lyricist and his powerful vocals provide the perfect compliment to Trouble's grinding music.

Trouble's music is unquestionably heavy, (heavy, not fast), but it is a step beyond today's stereotypical metal image, especially in it's lyrical content. For example, after listening to their songs the total heaviness of the music may give you the impression of a Satanic type band. But this is not the case at all - Trouble's message is quite the opposite. They sing of peace and hope, of good vs. evil, and the things we face from day to day. In other words, they always lean towards the good, not the evil. Trouble is a heavy metal band with a positive message. It is a message that all the band members firmly believe in, but not something they are trying to force on the listener. Even on stage, Trouble are different from most metal bands. They do not cover themselves with leather and spikes, they just wear the same kinds of clothes on stage as they'd wear off. Herein lies the key to understanding what Trouble is all about. Trouble is just five regular guys who happen to have an incredible talent for making extremely heavy music together. Simply stated ....... trouble are just being themselves, doing their own thing, and not trying to act like something they're not.

HISTORY OF THE BAND:

Trouble's roots date back to 1979 when guitarist Rick Wartell formed the band with guitarist Bruce Franklin and vocalist / lyricist Eric Wagner. In November of 1979 they were joined by bassist Ian Brown. Drummer Jeff `Oly' Olson joined in June 1980.

Trouble made their first real mark on the metal world in February of 1983 when the Trouble Live tape was recorded at a Chicago area gig and released for sale to the metal underground by Metal Child Enterprises. (Since the release of the debut album the Live tape is no longer for sale.)

After recording the Live tape, bassist Ian Brown left the band and the music scene to follow other goals. He was replaced by Sean McAllister in May 1983. Trouble's line up has remained unchanged since then.

Trouble's debut vinyl appearance was on the Metal Blade compilation Metal Massacre IV in late 1983 with the track "The Last Judgement", taken from a homemade demo tape. This started their popularity rising, and the sales of the Live tape grew steadily.

In early 1984, Trouble journeyed from Chicago to L.A., California to record their first full length LP for Metal Blade Records. It was recorded during February, produced by the band and engineer Bill Metoyer. Just prior to the album's release a 12" single was released featuring "Assassin" c/w "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" (the old Cream classic). And finally, the long awaited debut album, simply entitled "Trouble" (later referred to as Psalm 9), was released in early April of 1984. The first 5000 copies were pressed in white vinyl.

Trouble spent the spring / summer of 1984 writing and rehearsing the material for "The Skull" in Chicago, as well as playing live in several cities across the United States. The band recorded "The Skull" during late September and early October at studios in the L.A., California area. Once again it was produced by the band and engineer Bill Metoyer. Following the recording of the album, they played several dates on the West Coast and then returned to Chicago. Trouble spent the winter of 1984-85 rehearsing and writing songs for their third LP, as well as giving several performances in the Chicago area.

(Biography by John Smatlak with special thanks to Wade and Polly Brooks.)

I have to say that this is the most disappointing album that this group ever recorded. Psalm 9 and Run to the Light are vastly superior to this album. Some of the songs grow on you, but this album seems very juvenile in relation to their other work. Don't get me wrong, this group is probably the most underated group in the music industry. I would recommend buying it to complete your Trouble collection.

This is raw, ragged doom metal. If you can get past the low-budget 80's production, you'll unearth some of the most emotionally potent, introverted metal of its time. Sabbathian riffs meet Maidenesque twin guitar melodies in unpredictable, twisting arrangements, all of which add up to a bleak sound that not only bludgeons but--if I may be a bit melodramatic--weeps and sobs. That is, on this and other early Trouble albums, the team of guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin create a unique throbbing, sobbing metal guitar sound that's quite magical, shining through despite the dodgy production. Complementing this guitar sound, vocalist Eric Wagner screeches lyrics that grapple earnestly with questions of faith, sin and the meaning of life, and does so in a way that doesn't come off as pompous or preachy, but rather self-questioning and heartfelt, as if these existential doubts and questions genuinely torment him.

This album is not beyond criticism--the progressive arrangements can be needlessly busy and self-indulgent; the over-long "The Wish" may have its moments but kills the album's momentum as the 3rd song; Wagner's vocals are sometimes too thin and reverb-drenched (he continued to improve to become a truly distinctive, soulful singer--check out Trouble's self-titled or the LID side project).

Regarding this particular release, the slipcase artwork and photos are beautiful. The psychedelic, ominous album cover captures the feel and atmosphere of the music. On the downside, the CD notes suffer typos and, quite annoyingly, the lyrics are printed in ALL CAPS. (Though, it should be added the words are much more effective heard through the music; afterall, the lyrics aren't exactly subtle literary masterpieces on the page--they're from the gut, and meant to be heard as such) The extra live DVD is unlistenable and unwatchable, but fun for the hardcore fun who wants a taste of Trouble back in their heyday.

While I'm at it, I'll plug their other recent re-issue, Psalm 9, which is more accessible, with catchier songs and riffs and a gloriously heavy guitar tone. I chose this one to review, as its the thorniest, and more difficult to appreciate at first, but deserves its champions.