Skindred’s chart battle sees the rock and metal scene rally around the band: “It’s amazing to see”

Following the incredibly exciting news at the start of the week that Skindred are on course for their first-ever Number One album (can you believe that?!), the rock and metal scene has rallied around the band brilliantly to tip things over the edge and help try to secure the top spot.

As we reported on Monday, it’s been a close battle in the UK’s Official Albums Chart, with just 500 units separating Skindred’s Smile with The Sherlocks and Cian Ducrot. Since that news broke, though, everyone has been doing their bit – with stars like Metallica’s Rob Trujillo, Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello and Disturbed’s David Draiman all taking to social media to encourage fans to buy the record (speaking of which, it’s the last few hours of sales which is really important, so head here to grab your copy).

“Rage Against The Machine had their own infamous chart battle against a major label artist so it’s great to have their support in our bid for Number One,” enthuses drummer Arya Goggin. “The rock, metal and alternative music community has embraced us from day one and has seen us grow slowly steadily for the last 24 years . They have supported us every step of the way from playing the smallest venues to the main stages of festivals across the globe.

“We have always been supported by them and have always been treated like a family member, so to see their outpouring of support as we look to take on the major labels in our bid for a UK Number One album after 24 years is amazing to see.”

Speaking with the Official Charts, frontman Benji Webbe shared on Tuesday: “We’ve been Number One for the past two days, and we’re just going to push like hell until Friday. We feel like David and Goliath, we’re calling on all of our fanbase and friends to give the album a push.

“I really do feel like we’ve got something to say and something to offer the world that hasn’t been done before, in the way Skindred does it. The whole bringing black and white together thing, lifting people up and saying, ‘Come as you are.’ We hope we’re giving people some sort of hope.

“We’ve been doing this for years, and it’d be amazing to have the biggest platform on the planet to do this.”

Once again, get your copy of Smile right here.

Read this: Skindred: “We’re not hailed like a lot of bands, but it’s supposed to be like this. We’re the alternative”