Skin Flint by Blood Rhythms: A Chaotic Love Letter to Noise and Industrial Beats
If you’re the kind of person who likes their music smooth, predictable, or easy on the ears, Skin Flint by Blood Rhythms is not for you. And frankly, that’s okay—this album doesn’t care about your comfort zone. Released in 2016 under Karyeeye Tapes and NO PART OF IT (yes, really), it’s a raw, industrial beast born from the twisted minds of Wyatt Howland and Arvo Zylo. This thing slaps harder than an angry raccoon defending its dumpster dinner.
The album straddles the USA, Canada, and UK, but let’s be real—it feels like it crawled out of some abandoned warehouse where the walls are covered in graffiti and existential dread. With its mix of noise and industrial vibes, Skin Flint sounds like what would happen if Nine Inch Nails had a baby with a malfunctioning factory machine. It’s messy, abrasive, and oddly compelling—like watching a car crash in slow motion while sipping coffee you forgot to stir.
Tracks That Stick: "Skin Flint" and "Zippers with Eyes"
Let’s dive into two tracks that’ll rattle around in your brain long after they’re over.
First up, “Skin Flint.” Holy cow, this one hits hard. Imagine someone took all your unresolved anxieties, shoved them into a blender, and pressed “liquefy.” That’s “Skin Flint” for you. The track opens with a distorted pulse that feels like your headphones are having a panic attack. Then comes the beat—a relentless thud that makes you want to stomp around your living room like a toddler throwing a tantrum. You won’t forget this one because it’s impossible to ignore. It’s the auditory equivalent of being poked repeatedly by a sharp stick, except you kinda enjoy it.
Then there’s “Zippers with Eyes (Original Version).” What even IS this title? I don’t know, but damn, it works. This track starts off feeling like a horror movie soundtrack before morphing into something almost… danceable? Almost. There’s a moment halfway through where everything drops out except for this eerie synth line that sounds like it’s whispering secrets you weren’t meant to hear. It’s creepy as hell, but also weirdly fun, like sneaking candy when you’re supposed to be on a diet. If you’ve ever wanted to feel both terrified and slightly turned on at the same time, congratulations—you just found your jam.
Why This Album Stands Out
What sets Skin Flint apart isn’t just its chaotic energy; it’s how unapologetically itself it is. Nothing here feels polished or safe. Every sound is jagged, every rhythm unpredictable. It’s like listening to someone tear apart their own soul and stitch it back together in real-time. Sure, it might make your ears bleed a little, but hey, sometimes pain can be beautiful.
Final Thoughts
By the end of Skin Flint, you might find yourself wondering why you enjoyed something so aggressively weird. Maybe it’s because it reminds us that art doesn’t have to play nice to matter. Or maybe it’s because deep down, we all secretly love a little chaos now and then. Either way, give this album a listen—but only if you’re ready to embrace the madness.
Oh, and if anyone asks why you’re headbanging to what sounds like a broken robot learning heavy metal, just tell ‘em Wyatt Howland made you do it.
