Stoakes’ Song of the Week

Today is the first day of Nu Metal November and given what is happening at a certain club in Wolverhampton this evening, it was only right to kick things off with these guys. When you say Nu Metal, people’s minds naturally jump to the American bands, but we have quite the Nu Metal scene over here in the UK too!

Skindred are a band that need no introduction. They are playing their final night of the living dread show at KK’s Steel Mill tonight, as part of their annual Halloween celebrations. I’ve seen Skindred a few times and believe me, when they command the Newport helicopter… The whole crowd is whipped into a frenzy. But, I’m going to take you back with this one. Back to the early days…

Taken from the bands debut album Babylon and also featuring in the NFS Underground game, this single peaked at Number 14 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 23 on its Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2004.

The album, recorded in the States was released on the 3 July 2002 on RCA records. The band however felt they were being treated poorly by the record label and promptly left in 2004. They then signed with
with Bieler Bros. Records, who released the album internationally in association with Lava Records. Each version released featured a significantly altered track listing.

The 2004 release peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart, number 5 on the Top Heatseekers chart and at number 189 on the Billboard 200. In 2006, the album again ranked at number 1 on the Top Reggae Albums chart.

Babylon features a style which the band refers to as “Ragga metal”, fusing heavy metal, punk rock and reggae influences. Singer Benji Webbe has also jokingly referred to the band’s musical style as “nu-reggae”, in reference to the term nu metal.

Now, fifteen years on, Skindred are a force to be reckoned with and I challenge anyone to go to a Skindred gig and NOT do the Newport helicopter!!