It seems that the music industry has reached a point where the nu-metal bands are as formulaic as boy bands. Who besides an Ozzfest veteran, who can really tell the difference between Static-X, Slipknot, Mudvayne, and Drowning Pool? I mean, besides counting the number of members in the band.
With this in mind, here comes the first release from Skrape entitled New Killer America. Ironically, the band hails from boy band-haven Orlando, Florida, and yes, they sound just like every other nu-metal band. More accurately, they sound like a poor man's Pantera.
Skrape is really angry. Really really angry. Every song is about something they hate. Every song is about how much life sucks.
The first single, "Waste", is a scream-rock anthem that might be fun live, but comes up flat and boring on the album. It also sounds just like, oh, I don't know, Pantera. (Memo to Skrape: Next time, pick 17 lines more .just like, oh, I don't know, Pantera.)
Skrape has very few things going for them. One thing they are excellent at is album packaging. Their album has to be one of the cleverest uses of packaging ever. While their album packaging is well done, it is sad that the packaging is the best part of New Killer America.
