The Crooked Skulls Post “Iron Smile” Feat. Bob Balch
You don’t have to stretch to hear the aggression coinciding with the riffing of The Crooked Skulls‘ new single “Iron Smile.” The three-minute banger is NYP on Bandcamp now, and it’s the only thing the New Jersey outfit have up, so yes, you would call it a focus. They have other tracks — I’ve heard a few — and no doubt part of the reason why “Iron Smile” was chosen as the first single from whatever release they’re working toward, whether that’s an EP, LP, whatever. A guest spot from Bob Balch of Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere, etc., doesn’t hurt either, of course. They released it Sunday night, assumingly because they wanted to keep it secret.
Electric Desert Records is standing behind the release of the single and presumably the eventual offering it will represent. The band will support Wyndrider and Valley of the Sun on a four-band bill with Heavy Flow happening Sept. 13 at Factory Records in Dover, NJ. I’m planning on being there.
From the PR wire:
The Crooked Skulls Drop New Single “Iron Smile” Featuring Bob Balch of Fu Manchu
A crushing anthem of resilience, out now on Bandcamp
Heavy rock upstarts The Crooked Skulls have unleashed their latest single, “Iron Smile” , a searing cut of stoner-soaked doom riffage featuring none other than Bob Balch of Fu Manchu on lead guitar.
Written as a rallying cry for standing tall against deception and staying true to yourself, “Iron Smile” channels everything the Skulls stand for: raw honesty, thick riffs, and grooves that hit like a hammer.
“This song’s for the ones who thought they could play you, but you’ve been around too long to fall for that. Stand tall, trust your gut, and never back down from who you are.” – The Crooked Skulls
Formed in New Jersey, The Crooked Skulls – Pete Koretzky (guitars/vocals), Dave Van Auken (bass/vocals), and Chuck Snyder (drums) – blend the heavy haze of stoner rock with the grit of doom and southern metal. Their sound pulls from legends like Black Label Society, Kyuss, and Crowbar, yet remains unapologetically their own.
The track was recorded at Nada Recording , with mixing and mastering handled by John Naclerio .
“Iron Smile” is available now on Bandcamp , with high-quality streaming and downloads in MP3, FLAC, and more.
https://thecrookedskulls1.bandcamp.com/track/iron-smile-feat-bob-balch
This release follows Koretzky’s previous collaboration with Valley of the Sun (“Where’s This Place?” – 2023), and further cements The Crooked Skulls as a band to watch in the heavy underground.
“Electric Desert Records is proud to unleash The Crooked Skulls onto our roster. Their sound is vicious, uncompromising, and carved straight from the bone of heavy music’s darkest traditions. We’re here to amplify their chaos and let the world hear every crushing riff.” – Electric Desert Records
The Crooked Skulls are:
Pete Koretzky – Guitar/Vocals
Dave Van Auken – Bass guitar
Chuck Snyder Drums
Featuring Bob Balch of Fu Manchu, Lead Guitar
https://thecrookedskulls1.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/the_crooked_skulls
https://www.facebook.com/thecrookedskulls
