''Skeletons'' is the fourth and final studio album by the American

alternative metal Alternative metal (also known as alt-metal) is a genre of heavy metal music that combines heavy metal with influences from alternative rock and other genres not normally associated with metal. Alternative metal bands are often characterized by ...

band Nothingface. It is their only album featuring Tommy Sickles on drums. The album was released on April 22, 2003, via

TVT Records TVT Records (Tee-Vee Tunes) was an American record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 24-year history, the label released 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon ...

, their second as well as last album released on the label. The album is considered Nothingface's most diverse release to date, featuring elements of genres such as

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

and

hardcore Hardcore, hard core or hard-core may refer to: Arts and media Film * ''Hardcore'' (1977 film), a British comedy film * ''Hardcore'' (1979 film), an American crime drama film starring George C Scott * ''Hardcore'' (2001 film), a British documen ...

Background, music and lyrical themes

During the 2001–2002 interval between their previous album ''

Violence Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened ...

'' and ''Skeletons'', Nothingface experienced significant turmoil with lead singer Matt Holt (who was going through substance abuse issues) seeing his house burn down, Tom Maxwell's mother dying and bassist Bill Gaal divorcing his wife, leading to the band nearly breaking up. In an interview with Tom Maxwell, he said "I don't think ''Skeletons'' has a musical direction. I've said it before but it sounds to me like a band imploding and losing focus. The next record will redeem the sound I believe was lost during the ''Violence''/''Skeletons'' cycle. Too many cooks in the kitchen can sometimes create a mediocre meal. Especially when the cooks come from different schools." ''October 11th, 2006''. Retrieved ''September 7th, 2015'' The album is considered the band's most diverse release to date, ''Retrieved: September 7th, 2015'' with its music drawing elements from genres such as

and

. The album's lyrics are also more political than previous Nothingface releases. Lyrical themes on the album include the invasion of

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bord ...

organized religion Organized religion, also known as institutional religion, is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. Organized religion is typically characterized by an official doctrine (or dogma), a ...

, murder and the American government. ''April 1st, 2015''. Retrieved: September 7th, 2015 The song "Ether" is about

George W. Bush George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Bush family, and son of the 41st president George H. W. Bush, he ...

and his Middle East policies. The song "Here Comes the Butchers" is about

Catholicism The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

and Catholic Church sexual abuse cases. ''June 26th, 2003''. ''Retrieved: September 7th, 2015''

Critical reception

The album received positive reviews. Justin Donnelly of

Blistering A blister is a small pocket of fluid in the upper layer of the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction Blister(s) or Blistering may also refer to: * Anti-torpedo bulge, also known as an anti-torpedo blister * ' ...

gave the album a positive review and wrote "''Skeletons'' may be both more and extreme in either directions, but with Holt’s upfront lyrical stance, Bill Kennedy’s (

Monster Magnet Monster Magnet is an American rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded in 1989 by Dave Wyndorf (vocals and guitar), John McBain (guitar) and Tim Cronin (vocals and drums); they have since gone through several lineup ...

Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN and stylized as NIИ, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Trent Reznor was the only permanent member of the ban ...

Filter Filter, filtering or filters may refer to: Science and technology Computing * Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming * Filter (software), a computer program to process a data stream * Filter (video), a software component tha ...

) amazing production and a growth in mature evident within the songs, Nothingface will surely mark their mark from year onwards." Ambier Authier of Exclaim.ca gave the album a positive review writing

"Highly underrated as a group, Nothingface seems to use ''Skeletons'' to take a stab at organised religion and its well-publicised problems, the American government and their actions in the Middle East, and more. Produced by Bill Kennedy (Monster Magnet and Nine Inch Nails), ''Skeletons'' will take Nothingface on a long tour schedule including their current run with Ministry and the entire summer on the Ozzfest line-up. The band continues to evolve sonically on their recordings and ''Skeletons'' is the current transformation. A good pick."

Alex Henderson of

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the dat ...

gave the album a positive review and a 4 out of 5 stars rating, writing "Those who admired Violence can take comfort in knowing that despite the challenges Nothingface's members faced in 2001 and 2002, they have no problem excelling on the equally impressive ''Skeletons''."

Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to: Individual publications * ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine Alternative journalism * Alternative media ** Alternative media (U.S. political left) ** Alternative media (U.S. political ri ...

compared its heavy yet melodic sound with

Alice in Chains Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne ...

Track listing

Credits

* Matt Holt – vocals * Tom Maxwell – guitar * Bill Gaal – bass, keyboards, programming * Tommy Sickles – drums

References

{{Authority control 2003 albums Nothingface albums TVT Records albums Albums recorded at Armoury Studios