Skeletonwitch

Untiring road dogs Skeletonwitch aren't making categorization any easier on album number four, which finds the band bringing more melody and trad metal elements into their blackened thrash sound. But it's not easy listening by any means, as songs like "Erased and Forgotten" thrash really fast, black and hard, and, really, are more or less death metal (told you it was confusing). Skeletonwitch's greatest asset, however, is still quite simple: it's all about the riff. Unfortunately, the riffs have to fight to stay relevant and noticeable amongst the thrash and burn of the modern maelstrom of extremity the group toss off with alarming nonchalance, superb riff after superb riff propelling the whole thing along. Look, if we're being honest, it sounds a lot like their last three, and probably a lot like their next three. What matters is that the sound is good and, man, those riffs, you can't deny them.