What makes Remission & Bites by Skinny Puppy notable?

The album is significant for its role in shaping the electro-industrial genre and influencing subsequent artists like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. It received critical acclaim upon release, often noted for its dark thematic content and pioneering use of sampling techniques, helping to establish Skinny Puppy as a leading force in underground music. Released in January 1987, Remission & Bites marked Skinny Puppy's debut full-length album, arriving after their early EP releases. At this stage, the band was carving out their identity in the emerging electro-industrial scene, gaining recognition for their innovative sound and provocative themes.

Who is Remission & Bites for?

Remission & Bites works well if you're into wave-like pacing with resolution, haunting themes of alienation and dynamic exploration of sound.

How many songs are on Remission & Bites?

Remission & Bites has 14 tracks, running approximately 64 minutes.

Remission & Bites

Skinny Puppy · 1987

64 min · 14 tracks · industrial music

A visceral blend of haunting synths and aggressive beats that redefine the boundaries of industrial music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Assimilate — This track stands out with its relentless rhythm and darkly hypnotic vocals, encapsulating the band's raw energy and thematic depth.
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Smothered Hope — Opening with an unsettling atmosphere, this song showcases the band's ability to merge haunting melodies with industrial noise, setting a compelling tone for the album.
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Glass Houses — With its driving beat and layered textures, this track exemplifies the complex arrangements that characterize much of Skinny Puppy's work, making it a standout piece.
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Blood on the Wall — This track's stark lyrics and pounding instrumentation reflect themes of societal decay, highlighting the band's focus on provocative commentary through music.

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

The album blends aggressive beats with haunting synths, establishing a distinct sound within the industrial genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build intensity with layered synths and aggressive percussion, while the second half introduces more ambient and experimental elements.
Several tracks incorporate spoken word samples and distorted vocals, creating a disorienting atmosphere that complements the industrial sound.
The album's runtime is punctuated by interludes that serve as transitions, maintaining a sense of continuity despite shifts in mood and tempo.

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

wave-like pacing with resolution
haunting themes of alienation
dynamic exploration of sound
immersive headphone listening experience

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1987, Remission & Bites marked Skinny Puppy's debut full-length album, arriving after their early EP releases. At this stage, the band was carving out their identity in the emerging electro-industrial scene, gaining recognition for their innovative sound and provocative themes.
Stylistic neighbors: Ministry· Front Line Assembly· Nitzer Ebb