| Skinless | |
| Origin: | South Glens Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Genre: | Death metal |
| Years Active: | 1992–2011, 2013–present |
| Label: | Relapse |
| Associated Acts: | Armor Column, Streetsweeper, Enemy Reign, Disciples of Berkowitz, Mucopus, Gorguts, Origin |
| Website: | Skinless on Facebook |
| Current Members: | Noah Carpenter Sherwood Webber Bob Beaulac Joe Keyser Dave Matthews |
Skinless is an American death metal band from Glens Falls, New York.[1] [2] The band formed in 1992 and disbanded in 2011,[3] but reformed in 2012.
Skinless was formed by Ryan Wade and Noah Carpenter[4] in the town of South Glens Falls, New York. After relocating to various New York towns and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, and Cohoes, the band settled in Troy, New York.
Skinless is known for its consistently intense performances, as well as for its lyrical mix of end-of-the-world cynicism and comedy, which at times satirizes well known death metal lyrics from bands such as Carcass and Cannibal Corpse, and death metal in general. These lyrical themes are demonstrated in songs such as "The Optimist", about a crumbling human society, and "Tug of War Intestines", which depicts children playing schoolyard games with a surgery patient's internal organs. The band has occasionally brought the "Skinless Girl" on stage and let her be roughed up, covered in fake blood, while the band performed. Earlier in the band's career, Skinless handed out long tubes of foam for the audience to beat each other while the band played. These tubes were nicknamed "The Logs of Brutality".
Skinless's 1998 debut album, Progression Towards Evil, was an independent release which garnered the band high praise by fans and critics. In June 2010, Skinless played a reunion show with the line-up from the first 2 full-length albums.[5] Guitarist Noah Carpenter wanted Skinless to continue in this formation but the band's "fire" was not there anymore. In April 2011, Skinless officially split up, but soon after announced a farewell performance at Maryland Deathfest 2011. All the members are continuing as musicians in other bands.[6]
Skinless reformed in 2013 with the original line up from Progression Towards Evil. The band then added a second guitarist, Dave Matthews.[7]
Skinless released a new album entitled Only the Ruthless Remain on June 2, 2015, their first since Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead in 2006.