Last week, New Zealand’s Devilskin unveiled its new song “ENDO”. The track is a powerfully crafted and visceral masterpiece. Not only does it showcase vocalist Jennie Skulander’s incredible power, range and emotional depth but the lyrics are an honest and brutal narrative of her personal struggle with stage 4 endometriosis.
A poignant glimpse into the pain and distress that millions of women live with on a daily basis all over the world, the song “ENDO” is Jennie’s cathartic exorcism of her own personal demons.
‘Endo’ is based on my surgery for Stage 4 Endometriosis, something I was unaware I had. The lyric ‘Break the mass up’ is about having an 11 cm cyst (Endometrioma) on my ovary removed. This disease affects so many women worldwide, I really think it’s time we talked openly about it.”
The band explore dynamic new territory with this moody, rollercoaster of a song. Recorded at Roundhead Studios with producer Greg Haver (Bullet For My Valentine, Manic Street Preachers), engineered by Simon Gooding (Alien Weaponry, Neil Finn) and mixed in Los Angeles by Ben Grosse (Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Stone Temple Pilots), the song was mastered in New York by Ryan Smith.
Devilskin display confidence and a mastery of their art with a delivery that’s both beautiful and bombastic. The gorgeous close vocal intro gives way to a crushing, all-powerful riff and the song twists, turns and totally engulfs the listener, just like the condition itself:
We’ve been writing a lot and really digging deep into the songs and the emotions involved. We have definitely evolved again as songwriters. We love to write our own rules, push boundaries and kick down barriers. You need to in order to grow” says band spokesman Paul Martin.
Endometriosis New Zealand (ENZ) is the organisation representing those with endometriosis and pelvic pain in New Zealand. ENZ provides education in schools, advocacy, support and research to stop the suffering and influence change.
Deborah Bush CEO of ENZ, said that more than 120,000 girls and women have endometriosis in NZ and it can take 8+ years to get a diagnosis. She said that 27% of girls in NZ miss school every or most months with distressing pain or symptoms that can interfere with your life and every-day function. It is important to recognise the symptoms early and follow a recommended treatment plan to avoid symptoms interfering with schooling, career, relationships, quality of life or fertility downstream.
Director Shae Sterling has filmed a stunning and visually arresting video, which was creatively written with the band.
The subject matter demands attention, and we are confident this video does it real justice” says Paul Martin “It’s not for the faint hearted.”
“ENDO” will be available on all digital platform services Worldwide including Spotify, Apple music, iTunes, Google Play and will stream on the Devilskin YouTube page here.
Devilskin will spend October touring Europe with Halestorm: Dates HERE
