Welsh ragga metal band Skindred are on course for their first UK number one album as their latest release You Got This leads the Official Albums Chart midweek update.

The Newport group currently sit at the top of the chart ahead of several major label releases, putting them in a strong position heading into Friday’s final results. However, the band are approaching the milestone cautiously after narrowly missing out on the top spot in 2023, when Smile was edged out at the last moment by just 150 sales.

Frontman Benji Webbe acknowledged both the excitement and the uncertainty surrounding the chart race. “If they can put a man on the moon hopefully there should be some hope for putting a ragga metal band from Newport to number one in the UK album charts,” he said. “The love we have been receiving for our new album has been amazing. Thank you to everyone who has gone out and bought a copy.”

The band’s surge comes after a high-profile appearance on Sunday Brunch, which introduced the record to a wider audience. You Got This has been described as a return to form, blending heavy riffs with reggae, rap and dancehall influences, a sound that has defined Skindred’s cross-genre appeal for years.

Lead single “Can I Get A” has already made a strong impact on radio, earning A-list status on BBC Radio Wales and regular rotation across major rock stations. It has also topped the playlist on Kerrang Radio and placed highly on Planet Rock and Total Rock.

Critics have responded positively to the album, praising its energy, hooks and distinctive fusion of styles. Reviews across national newspapers and specialist music publications have highlighted the band’s continued ability to balance heaviness with melody and a sense of fun.

To mark the release, Skindred are playing a series of intimate UK shows this week, including dates in Bristol, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Leeds, with some performances already sold out. The run offers fans a chance to see the band up close before they return to larger venues later in the year.

A full UK and Ireland headline tour is scheduled for October and November, featuring major stops in Nottingham, Birmingham, Dublin and Glasgow. The tour will include a London date at Alexandra Palace, one of the band’s biggest headline shows to date.

Alongside the tour, Skindred will also appear at several UK festivals this summer, including events in Cardiff, Manchester, Winchester and Devon.

Whether You Got This can hold onto the top spot until the official chart is announced remains to be seen. For now, the band are enjoying the moment while keeping expectations grounded after their previous near miss.

If they can put a man on the moon hopefully there should be some hope for putting a Ragga Metal band from Newport to number 1 in the UK album charts. 

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.