By Vinnie Apicella

Considering the revolving door that's been synonymous with their past, wouldn't they be better known as "Hellchildren"? That past began for this Far Eastern death machine over ten full years ago, having seen member after member walk and still they carried on to the point where it looks like their time's finally arrived. Hellchild's "Bareskin" is a pure massacre that I'd dare say might turn out to be as historically significant in their own homeland as Celtic Frost was on the U.S. death metal market twenty years before! Crushing riffs and booming percussion only scratch the surface here as we begin with "Self Scorn", a personally introspective three round fight that leaves its opponent bruised and bloodied. "Wings of Hope" stands out here for its off key nature and more sizzling guitar work that by this time leaves a totally mesmerizing shroud over the listener who can't help but be sucked in by this impressive display of power. "Bareskin" could easily have been spawned in the 80's for all its lack of technical prowess and studio gimmicks, yet the feel here is as vibrant and brutally stimulating as any of the better moments had by the likes of Fear Factory and Machine Head in their hungrier days!

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