Skinner

SKINNER - The Dark Design cover art
Album Reviews

SKINNER – The Dark Design

April 2, 2023 Mark Zagotti

Bay Area veteran vocalist, Norman Skinner released his new second full-length album The Dark Design on March 31, 2023. The album was independently released on Norman Skinner’s private label Dead Inside Records via his website. The Dark Design was mixed and mastered by Zach Ohren (Castle Ultimate Productions). The album art was done by Michael Ailarov. Norman Skinner comments on the album, “This album has been a long labor of love for me. Started initially back in 2015 I began working with various musicians to craft the 1st few songs and continued to work on the album in the background when not busy working on all the other projects. I took my sweet time, but I feel it paid off as this album is killer! I’ve already given fans a taste by releasing three singles “In Silence,” “How Many Ways I Can Die” & “Wicked Whys” this year. I will say before the album’s release date, everyone can expect 1 final single & video to be released.” Brief Bio The band Skinner originated back in 2010 as the defunct Power Thrash Band Imagika fell apart. The band released a five-song EP, Enemy Within in 2011 and their first full-length album in 2014 titled Sleepwalkers. In 2015, members of Skinner left the band leaving Normal Skinner to continue Skinner as a solo band. Since then, “The Metal Chamaleon” has released singles in subsequent years while also being active in his other bands, Hellscream, Niviane, and Imagika. The Dark Design Norman Skinner’s vision for this album mixes in his favorite elements of heavy music, melody, and the inclusion of keys to bring epic and atmospheric elements to his music. Musical styles range from Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Heavy Metal, Prog, and Melodic Heavy Metal. The album has a runtime of sixty-four minutes …READ MORE

Niviane Band Pic
Interviews

NORMAN SKINNER III (NIVIANE): “We Felt Our First Release Was A Bit Too Polished And Wanted A Heavier Sound For The Next Release”

September 29, 2020 George Dionne

Dark and Melodic Power Metal That’s Sure to Raise Some Eyebrows Niviane isn’t a band I would have sought out on my own. There are just so many bands out there to check out. Hell, I’m not even sure how to pronounce their name. If it wasn’t for Pure Steel Records sending me an advance of their upcoming album The Ruthless Divine [review], I would have missed out on a great Heavy Metal release. What appealed to me most about the album was that the music was dark and the vocals were melodic. The Ruthless Divine drew me in at first listen and it’s been on repeat quite a few times since. I contacted vocalist Norman Skinner III to find out more details about the album and what’s on the horizon for Niviane. Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about Niviane, how would you describe the band’s music to me? We are a Heavy Power Metal band that blends both the US & European styles together. Our music is very driving featuring powerful vocals and dual lead guitar. MER: Niviane’s second full length album The Ruthless Divine is set to be released on October 30, 2020 through Pure Steel Records. As of the submission of these questions (40 days prior to the release date) there has been no promotional singles released. Why? NS: Our label stated that the delay was due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 1st single “Fires In The Sky” will be released on October 2nd followed by a music video shortly thereafter to help support the release. MER: What songs do you plan to release as singles and/or videos?  NS: As mentioned the first single will be “Fires In The Sky” on October 2nd, followed by a music video for the same track. Additional single/videos …READ MORE

SKINNER - Sleepwalkers
Album Reviews

SKINNER – Sleepwalkers

May 6, 2014 Dan Skiba

Skinner is a San Francisco, USA Thrash band that incorporates Power Metal elements. This 3-guitar outfit was formed by vocalist Norman Skinner after the breakup of Imagika, a group that featured similar music stylistically and released a baker’s half dozen albums during their career. Skinner vacillates throughout Sleepwalkers’ 11 tracks between Thrash (the growling type) and rough Power Metal; an approach that is both interesting at times, and hard to follow at others. Norman Skinner’s vocals are not impressive under either veil, and the production quality is subpar, but thankfully the guitar work saves Sleepwalkers from being a total nightmare.