Skindred

Blending reggae rhythms with chugging nu-metal riffs, the Welsh metal outfit Skindred crafts a distinctive sound incorporating elements of hardcore punk, jungle, ska, hip-hop, dancehall, drum'n'bass, and dubstep. Forming in the early 2000s, the band claimed the top position on the Billboard reggae charts via its 2002 debut Babylon and scaled the upper reaches of the British metal charts with energetic releases such as Volume in 2015 and Big Tings in 2018. The veteran metal act's eighth studio album, Smile, surfaced in 2023.

The group coalesced in Newport, Wales in 1998 following the breakup of vocalist Benji Webbe's prior outfit Dub War. Attempts to rehearse a fresh project with other Dub War alumni faltered, yet Webbe soon connected with bassist Daniel Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Dee, and drummer Dirty Arya, officially launching Skindred. Their first LP, Babylon, surfaced in 2002 and 2003, enjoying scattered traction across parts of Europe and the U.S. metal underground. Only after roughly a year's delay, once Lava Records stepped in, did the record gain wider traction. Skindred issued a re-release of Babylon in August 2004. Lava's edition, which ascended to number one on the Billboard reggae charts, presented alternate cover art and added newly recorded tracks alongside the original Howard Benson-helmed material. The band followed with Roots Rock Riot in 2007 and Shark Bites & Dog Fights in 2009. Both albums registered solid placements on the U.S. Heatseekers chart. Two years afterward they delivered their fourth album, Union Black, which lacked a U.S. release. After issuing Kill the Power, which featured the Rasta-rocking shredder "Ninja," they parted ways with BMG and aligned with Napalm Records for their sixth album, Volume, in 2015. That effort reached the Top 20 on the U.S. Heatseekers chart and landed inside the Top 30 of the U.K. charts. The band resurfaced in 2017 with "Machine," which showcased Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell and Reef vocalist Gary Stringer. The single previewed album seven, Big Tings, which arrived in 2018 and peaked at no. 26 on the UK Albums chart. Ahead of their eighth full-length, the group secured a deal with Earache. Issued in 2023, Smile presented a high-impact collection of amped-up dancehall metal tracks highlighted by the explosive single "Gimme That Boom."