Skintilla is a band that will probably ring virtually no bells whatsoever to most people. They are an Australian band, that after undergoing a huge line-up change (only one guy left) and a major alteration in musical style, have just released the EP “Shedding Skin”. The band is hoping to sign a record deal soon, and apart from the ugly artwork on cover, I think they definitely deserve it.

I had not heard of the band before, and Skintilla was a name that made me think Skinlab and the EP-title did so even more, however the music is quite different from Skinlab and adjacent musical territory. It is hard to define their style, it has hardcore in it, recurring power metal-like vocals, some oldskool Machinehead riffing at times. It is often that mixing all kinds of styles together doesn’t really work, but Skintilla certainly mixes these parts well.

Guitarist Jeremy Burgess, who was the last remaining original bandmember, has gathered a very able group of people around him.

The thing that catches the ear most, is Peter Stewart’s drumming, which is (almost) nothing short of spectacular; a really, pumped up energetic performance filled with lots of double-bass drums and inventive rhythms, best heard on ‘White Flag Down’.

Vocalist Darren Pretty has a great voice; it is power metal-like at most times, but with more actual power and anger in his voice than your average power metal band. He can also sing with a lower voice, which provides a nice degree of variation to the CD. Instrumentally everything sounds very nice as well, with -not too spectacular- but nice solo’s at the right times in the songs. Good low-key riffing with enough variation and changes of pace make this EP a very good one. Too bad they do not have a record deal, otherwise I could advise everyone to buy this EP and give this Australian band a chance. (Seamiew records perhaps?).