What makes Bites by Skinny Puppy notable?

Bites is significant for its role in shaping the industrial music scene, particularly through its critical acclaim and influence on subsequent bands. It was noted for its experimental approach, earning praise from publications like NME and contributing to the burgeoning underground electronic music movement. Released in January 1985, Bites is Skinny Puppy's second studio album and a key step in their evolution as pioneers of the electro-industrial genre. Following their debut, Cleanse Fold and Manipulate, they began to solidify their distinct sound, blending dark themes with innovative production techniques that would influence countless artists.

Bites works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and wave-like pacing experiences.

How many songs are on Bites?

Bites has 17 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Bites

Skinny Puppy · 1985

72 min · 17 tracks · industrial music

A dense tapestry of electronic noise and aggressive beats entwined with haunting vocals, pushing the boundaries of industrial music.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Assimilate — The opening track sets a stark tone with its pulsating rhythms and urgent lyrics about societal conformity, encapsulating the album's central themes.
→
Blood on the Wall — This track features a powerful blend of harsh electronics and unsettling soundscapes that illustrate the band's critique of violence and media.
→
Church — With its layered textures and frenetic pacing, this song critiques organized religion while showcasing Skinny Puppy's knack for merging thought-provoking content with compelling sound.
→
The Choke — A standout with its brooding atmosphere, it explores themes of control and oppression, perfectly exemplifying the darker side of Skinny Puppy’s artistry.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Bites showcases strong composition and craft while maintaining a distinct sound within the industrial genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Assimilate', that sets a relentless pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
Vocals are often layered and processed, creating a haunting effect that intertwines with the dense electronic soundscapes throughout the record.
Several tracks feature abrupt transitions and shifts in dynamics, such as 'Blood on the Wall' leading directly into 'Dead Lines', enhancing the sense of urgency.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
wave-like pacing experiences
dark atmospheric explorations

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1985, Bites is Skinny Puppy's second studio album and a key step in their evolution as pioneers of the electro-industrial genre. Following their debut, Cleanse Fold and Manipulate, they began to solidify their distinct sound, blending dark themes with innovative production techniques that would influence countless artists.
Stylistic neighbors: Ministry· Front Line Assembly· Nitzer Ebb