"Weapon" is the twelfth studio album by the Canadian electro-industrial band Skinny Puppy. It was released on May 28, 2013, through Metropolis Records. Although the band had originally intended it as the last album in a trilogy, the group later refrained from this suggestion.
The album's concept was developed after realizing how much weaponry had evolved. "Weapon"'s lyrical themes were influenced by the role of weapons in society, and their involvement in contemporary global warfare. The album artwork and packaging depicts various forms of armaments, and the group's instruments even incorporated sounds from firearms. This exploration of modern warfare's soundscape gave the entire album a unique thematic resonance.
Musically, the album sees the band revisiting their early days, incorporating elements from new wave and electro music. Production wise, the music is ominous, yet clean and sharp, taking their signature dark, atmospheric sound to new levels. The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its balanced incorporation of the band's more minimalist early work with their complex latter-day sound.
Apart from the core members Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key, the album also includes contributions from other musicians, offering a fresh take on the Skinny Puppy sound.
"Weapon" marked an important chapter in Skinny Puppy's discography, serving both as a reflection on past experiences and an examination of the pathways that lie ahead.
