Label: Criminal IQ Records

Considering the manner in which the musical style of punk has been raped, bastardised and misappropriated by the mainstream ever since its inception in the 70’s, it was inevitable at some point that bands would start rebelling.  Melbourne’s Useless Children are one such band; combining elements of both sludge metal and crust punk, this is one group who aren’t going to be co-opted for monetary gain.  With an EP and album already under their belts, the band are now getting ready to unleash a new seven-inch single, Skin.  Coming in at around ten minutes, it is another consistent addition to the group’s steadily growing discography.

Relying more upon feel and mood than subtle instrumentation, all three tracks - which make up Skin - attempt to smash the listener into oblivion with devastating salvos of screamed vocals, feedback laden guitars and thunderous drumming.  It is pretty clear from the get-go that Useless Children is going to be far more reminiscent of F-Minus than Sum 41. The opening title track hits like the blitzkrieg, rocketing along in a manner akin to a runaway train heading towards a bus full of unsuspecting senior citizens.  The group’s attack becomes even more frenzied on the follow up “Nameless”, a track dominated as much by lead singer Cinta’s horrible wails as it is by the accompanying sonic mess produced by the rest of the band.

The B-Side and final track to the seven-inch is the lengthier “People Come, People Go”.  Compared to both of the songs *which preceded (better to just use: ‘preceding’ only) it, the track’s more spaced out bass lines and ominous drumming seem almost restrained; however, Cinta remains the centre of attention with her chillingly incomprehensible vocals.  Some extra male backing vocals also add another layer of flesh to the cut, further differentiating it from the vinyl’s two A-sides.

Useless Children isn’t going to be for everyone, and they definitely aren’t going to be getting any nominations for “Single of the Year” at the ARIAs any time soon.  In fact, the first ten seconds of Skin would probably be enough to scare off approximately ninety-five per cent of global music listeners.  However, for those small few who value unwavering anti-corporatism in the face of a world which grows steadily more superficial with every passing day, Skin will come off as a comforting non-conformist breath of fresh air.  Even if it does sounds more like an asthmatic patient choking to death on their own lungs.