Review by Luka on May 15, 2002.

Skinlab must really think they've reached a level of perfection with their music on which they have nothing to improve. Why else would their sound and style stay utterly consistent and unchanging since their debut back in '97? Well...

Here's the thing with Skinlab albums: if you've heard one you've heard them all. So if you've have any of their previous works already then the exact number of hairs on my, uh... back, will interest you more than "Revolting Room". Think of it as 10 more songs from "Disembody the New Flesh" and the material is just as good, if not fresh. If you want more of the same, get it, if you want something new after three albums of the same, steer well clear and wave goodbye.

Now all the power and energy that these guys are famous for is there, and strong as ever. The vigorous groove will pick you up and start thrashing you around sure enough, the familiar Skinlab sound of razor-sharp guitars cutting through thick and buttery bass will get your head swinging madly all the way up to the fifth song. By that time they've thrown all they have at you and the rest is recycled. Clever drum-fills and hooks will grab at you but the shallow and slightly nu-metal approach means the songs won't take too long to absorb. Honestly, I'd rather listen to Slipknot.

Bottom Line: It's a safe buy. So safe that I guarantee you won't be exposed to anything original whatsoever, in the process.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 2
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 6

Rating: 6.8 out of 10

Review by Felix on July 26, 2020.

Death metal maniacs are of the opinion that only death is real, but I say only thrash keeps you young. The zombie-esque warrior that attacks D. T. on the cover surely agrees. D.T., who has lost his “Make America Hate Again” cap does probably not share my point of view, but who cares about this irrelevant guy? Germany was heavily involved in the outburst of two World Wars, so I see no reason to worry about D.T.

Fist to Face is the second album of the Spanish unit called Holycide and I must say their configuration of thrash gives me an energy boost. Swift fingers fly over six strings and create riffs over riffs, while the drumming supports the dynamic performance of the guitarists. Lead vocalist Dave Rotten (typical Spanish name) convinces with his unfriendly shouting. Conveniently, he is not only the front man of Holycide, but also the label owner of Xtreem Music and so it comes as no surprise that the album was released by this company. But even if he would not run a label, I’m sure his combo would have signed a record deal. The liveliness, the musical potential and the degree of aggression are simply more than just satisfying.

Holycide do not have written “retro” all over their music, but they also do not wallow in Machine Head-like grooves. The band does not care about the different decades and faces of thrash. It is just here to let steam off and even songs with almost Dadaistic titles ('Trapped by the Crappy Trap') let the hammers circle. Rotten spits out his lyrics in a constantly expressed bad mood and his comrades integrate some pinpoint background shouts. Forget the Mekong Delta shirt Rotten wears on the band pic; his group has rather a more or less hidden affinity for death metal or hardcore. Sometimes they sound like Biohazard gone wild. However, the band knows neither friends nor relatives when they give full speed in songs like 'The Aftermath'. Translate lyrics like “Political assholes have stabbed us in the back” into music and you know the level of velocity.

Frankly speaking, I miss one or two songs that keep sticking in the ear immediately. It’s always easier for old fellows like me to decode an album when having one or other point of orientation. Anyway, the aptly titled Fist to Face has enough elements that make fun, just listen to the highly energetic instrumental part of 'Napalm Sweet Napalm'. I am no big fan of solos in general, but here the dudes from Madrid have forged one of many very nice parts. They do not dish up easy listening thrash in view of some pretty bulky riffs, but they also do not fall victim to an over-ambitious technical approach. This transparent, hefty and powerful album just makes the kind of fun thrash was invented for. And for even more fun it’s time to get rid of D.T., if I am not mistaken.

Rating: 7.9 out of 10