The Skull (album)
Encyclopedia
The Skull is the second album
by the American
doom metal
band Trouble
, released in 1985. It was the follow-up to their 1984 classic debut Psalm 9.
Trouble gained critical recognition for The Skull and a successful tour followed. However, the album reflected singer Eric Wagner
's struggles with substance abuse as well as growing turmoil within the group. This led to the departure of bassist Sean McAllister; he was replaced by Ron Holzner, who would remain with the band until their 2002 reunion. In early 1986, shortly after The Skull tour began, drummer Jeff Olson
would also leave to attend college and the band regrouped with a new lineup later that year. Olson would reunite with Trouble in 1993 and play on the Plastic Green Head
album, which was released two years later.
The album has been released for CD
on four occasions: in 1990 by Enigma Records
; again in 1991 by Metal Blade
; remastered using the original master tapes and reissued again by Metal Blade in 1994; and again remastered and reissued by Escapi Music in October 2006, with a bonus DVD.
.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
band Trouble
Trouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
, released in 1985. It was the follow-up to their 1984 classic debut Psalm 9.
Trouble gained critical recognition for The Skull and a successful tour followed. However, the album reflected singer Eric Wagner
Eric Wagner
Eric Wagner is an American heavy metal singer who is best known for his work with doom metal band Trouble. He briefly left Trouble in the mid-nineties and formed Lid with guitarist Danny Cavanagh, resulting in 1997's In The Mushroom. Wagner returned to Trouble in 2002...
's struggles with substance abuse as well as growing turmoil within the group. This led to the departure of bassist Sean McAllister; he was replaced by Ron Holzner, who would remain with the band until their 2002 reunion. In early 1986, shortly after The Skull tour began, drummer Jeff Olson
Jeff Olson (Musician)
Jeff Olson is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, radio show host, and the original drummer for the legendary doom/rock band, Trouble...
would also leave to attend college and the band regrouped with a new lineup later that year. Olson would reunite with Trouble in 1993 and play on the Plastic Green Head
Plastic Green Head
Plastic Green Head was the sixth album by the American doom metal band Trouble, released in 1995. First released on the Music for Nations label in Europe, it was distributed in the U.S. by Century Media Records. Soon after the release of this album, Trouble went on an extended hiatus after their...
album, which was released two years later.
The album has been released for CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
on four occasions: in 1990 by Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
; again in 1991 by Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
; remastered using the original master tapes and reissued again by Metal Blade in 1994; and again remastered and reissued by Escapi Music in October 2006, with a bonus DVD.
Track listing
All songs by TroubleTrouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
.
- "Pray for the Dead" – 5:54
- "Fear No Evil" – 4:12
- "The Wish" – 11:35
- "The Truth Is, What Is" – 4:37
- "Wickedness of Man" – 5:46
- "Gideon" – 5:10
- "The Skull" – 5:50
Credits
- Eric WagnerEric WagnerEric Wagner is an American heavy metal singer who is best known for his work with doom metal band Trouble. He briefly left Trouble in the mid-nineties and formed Lid with guitarist Danny Cavanagh, resulting in 1997's In The Mushroom. Wagner returned to Trouble in 2002...
- vocals - Bruce FranklinBruce Franklin (guitarist)Bruce Franklin is a metal guitarist. He is the guitarist for the band Trouble. He is also in the band Supershine featuring King's X frontman Doug Pinnick and longtime Trouble drummer, Jeff Olson. Franklin appeared as a guest lead guitarist on Tourniquet's 2003 album Where Moth and Rust Destroy...
- guitars - Rick Wartell - guitars
- Sean McAllister - bass
- Jeff OlsonJeff Olson (Musician)Jeff Olson is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, radio show host, and the original drummer for the legendary doom/rock band, Trouble...
- drums