Skull Fist – Paid In Full

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Canada has always ben known to produce class acts. Whether you like Melodic Rock (CONEY HATCH, TRIUMPH), Progressive Rock (RUSH), Speed Metal (ANVIL) or even Extreme Death Metal (KATAKLYSM), you will always find very good bands that come from that massive country. When it comes to good old-fashioned Heavy Metal with a melodic twist, one of the forerunners that has to be named are SKULL FIST. Hailing from the great city of Toronto and having been around since 2006, they have definitely put themselves on the map as being a qualitative certainty.

They have existed for 16 years, and are now on their fourth full length album. If you look at these figures in a broad light, they are able to produce an album every four years. So, after “Way Of The Road” from 2018 it was time they came up with another jewel. And they have, as their latest adventure “Paid In Full” is a very welcoming and appreciative album to listen to. It is filled with great music, harbours only beautiful songs and is blessed with an outstanding production. All these facts together make that you just can’t fault SKULL FIST in their efforts on “Paid In Full”.

The band currently is classed as a threesome. Just like many other great bands from The North. But they weren’t until last year. In fact, as I understand it guitarist Johnny Nesta left the nest to go on to endeavours unknown to me, making SKULL FIST  another trio to be reckoned with. I honestly don’t know if and how he contributed to “Paid In Full”, but if he did, thank you for your service. “Blackout” could have easily been included on the 1982 SCORPIONS album with the same name, as it has the same kind of vibe and sound. Singer Zach Slaughter even sounds like Klaus Meine on this one. The riff of “Madman” and the surrounding atmosphere remind me of “China White”. Yes, we’re speaking of the German counterparts again. And do I mind? Not at all, as good music is always welcome. Especially when the explosive forces on songs like “Crush, Kill, Destroy” only want you to urge SKULL FIST to write more songs like that. They add just that extra dimension to their already beautiful music. The short double bass bursts that work closely together with the guitars make this the most outstanding song on “Paid In Full”. The rest just simply outstanding.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 9