Feeling the Skold: Tim Skold, for the uninitiated, was the mastermind behind Swedish rock & rollers Shotgun Messiah. That band released three awesome albums between 1989 and '93, the third of which was the industrial-tinged, ahead of its time, Violent New Breed. That would prove to be a prophetic record, because soon afterwards Skold embarked on a very industrial solo career, and release a string of great albums.

In between, Skold would be a member of KMFDM and Marilyn Manson for lengthy spells (he still occasionally plays "Anarchy," a song that he wrote for KMFDM, but not tonight). But one always suspected that he's happiest when he has full control of his music.

His latest album under the Skold name, Seven Heads, dropped this year, though he only played the most recent single from it, "Rat King," at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunday evening. The rest of the set was a blast though, spanning his solo career and a little bit more.

There were lows, so let's get them out of the way. The couple of guests who dropped by to sing with Skold gave flat, godawful performances. In particular local rapper Baby Franco (and friend) guested on a spot that's best forgotten. Rap and industrial rock can work in synch, but it didn't here.

But when Skold and his band simply let rip, it was a joyous sight and sound. The opening "Burn" was typically scorching, while "Small World," with its "Disneyland must burn" refrain," is a gloriously intense anti-capitalistic anthem.

The two closing tracks, "Don't Pray for Me" and "Better the Devil" were gloriously snotty, sleazy cyber-punk ditties, and they proved to be the perfect way to end this show. It's interesting, though, that the only Shotgun Messiah tune that Skold performed was the slower, acoustic "Living Without You," rather than a speedy rocker that his industrial band could crunch-up.

Nobody ever accused Skold of being predictable.

Feeling the Skold: Visit skold.com for more info.





 
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