Skrik is the solo project of Brandon Matthew Sussman of Long Island, NY. best described as a blend of nu metal and progressive metal. Skrik has released three full-length albums, each representing . Experimentation is an integral part of the music-making process for Skrik; the direction is never set in stone. The consistencies are big, catchy hooks and emotionally charged delivery and themes.
Skrik as a Persona
Skrik is essentially an alternate persona. While performing, whether for recording or on stage, Skrik takes over. Skrik has a commanding, unique stage presence, incorporating a neurotic, convulsive physical presence; a confident antisocial quality that is quick-witted and utterly irreverent; and most importantly, a ferocious, powerful voice that ranges in style from growl, to scream, to clean, to guttural, even to rap.
The Music of Skrik
Skrik’s music is entirely the work of Brandon Matthew Sussman of Long Island, NY. Brandon has a history of dabbling in different disciplines in phases, quickly attaining competency and usually also adeptness. Songwriting has become the most consistent creative pursuit of his life, having written some fifty or more songs in the last ten years.
Skrik is never content with stagnating. There is always a vision that incorporates past, present, and future. The first album, Skeleton, was a love letter to classic nu metal. The second, Gray Matters, takes that sound and injects a progressive, experimental element. The Back to the Skrik EP contains songs that were written shortly before the release of Gray Matters and progress further in that direction. One thing has always been consistent, however: big, wacky hooks.
Album number three, Halo, gets even more progressive, and it introduces a symphonic layer and a pop-leaning approach to song structures that capitalizes on big hooks. It also presents an apparent total inversion of emotional approach, with a hopeful and joyful disposition and a newfound self-love and sense of worth.
Songs for Coming Forth by Day, Skrik’s fourth album, due out 4/20/26, features material that shifts the focus towards the hip-hop and pop elements that have long been a part of Skrik’s sound, while maintaining the great hooks, drifting further away from traditional song structure, and exploring more diverse stylistic approaches and instrumental ensembles.
Where is Skrik now?
Skrik has a little over a year of regular live performances under his belt after debuting on stage last year, in promotion of Halo.
Skrik is now promoting its new album, Songs for Coming Forth by Day, having released singles “Absurd” and “Memento Mori Love Song.”
Skrik is excited to continue delivering its brand of rap- and pop-infused experimental metal onstage and everywhere music exists for the foreseeable future.