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Under My Skin

    
       
       
       
     
             
Metalriff are a thrash metal band from Chile, formed in 2017 by guitarist and vocalist Leonel Contreras, releasing the 'Pray Or Die' E.P. later the same year. The bands debut album 'Blinded' was released in 2018, with their sophomore album 'Under My Skin', a 2020 release.    
             
Since the release of 'Blinded', Chilean thrashers Metalriff have garnered a loyal following in their home country, and are now looking to increase that following across the globe with the release of their second album 'Under My Skin'. Delivering a brand of old school thrash metal, heavily influenced by the eighties direction the likes of Metallica took thrash - Metalriff launch an eight song barrage of savagery with the fast paced 'Blood & War' blazing a trail of fire across the land. Mixing elements from the traditional style of heavy metal with their thrashy roots, Metalriff (and by the way, what a name to choose for a band - Metalriff - no chance of mis-guessing what their music sounds like) are sending shockwaves across the world, with grounds shaking and buildings collapsing wherever 'Under My Skin' (the album) is played. The cacophony of thrash gets a lot more thunderous with the title song 'Under My Skin' blazing into sight. Adopting a slight melodic streak, 'Under My Skin' (the song) is an infectious and head bang able romp.    
             
Hitting like a wrecking ball, 'From Saint To Demon' launches the album in the direction of eighties style thrash, in particular Metallica - yet Metalriff are rawer, and less polished, not a bad thing though, 'cause raw and unpolished is just how I like it. And to be honest, Metallica polished themselves so much there was no rawness left by the 90's and into the black album era...and 'Load' and 'Reload'... Anyway, back to Metalriff, and the mid tempo heavy hitter 'The Emptiness', displaying a mild mellow glaze, yet remaining rooted fairly and squarely in the thrashy heavy metal arena. Jack hammering its way into sight 'The Borderline' has mid eighties Metallica written all over it. From the 'Disposable Heroes' style drum intro, to the 'Creeping Death' style riffage, Metalriff pay homage, and/or respect, to the best two albums Metallica ever released, 'Master Of Puppets' (1986) and 'Ride The Lightning' (1984). These were genre defining albums, and kudos to Metalriff for acknowledging them. Or is the resemblance a copy or a coincidence...    
             
...anyway, moving away from the Metallica comparison, Metalriff thunder on with 'From The Ashes' - a meaty riff led instrumental of fire and brimstone. 'From The Ashes' crushes everything that has gone before, its heaviness heavier than the heaviest thing you can think of. Prepare to be flattened, for flattened you will be. 'Puppets & Clowns' maintains the heavier feel created by the previous song, but introduces a more up front and in your face style than heard anywhere else on the album. Imagine the likes of Slayer, Testament and Metallica having a ménage a trois (as disgusting as that sounds), and the resulting outcome would be 'Puppets & Clowns'. The final song on the album 'Don't Be Afraid To Die', is a high velocity thunderstorm, with hurricane force riffs and tornado style drums, to bring 'Under My Skin' (the album) to a devastating finish.    
             
Overall, a crushing cacophony of eighties style thrash metal, 'Under My Skin' has rawness, brutality, and an insane infectious streak.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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