Feb11

Review: Shackles

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SHACKLES – MAUNDER

From all the way back when old mate Captain Cook decided he might go for a bit of a sail and ran into Australia, this country has been known to produce some pretty amazing things. However, for all the good it has produced it has also manage to churn out some of the worlds most violent criminals. From the likes even the most popular of our bad men like Ned Kelly through to the modern day monster that is Martin Bryant, this country has produced some pretty evil characters. When you look at how the country began, with convict settlements, I you would have to agree that it is a testament to the Australian people that they cold grow from the shackles they were once contained to, into one of the leading countries all over the world today. When we think of being contained, we can’t help but want to throw on the new record from the Byron Shire band, Shackles and start looking for someone stage dive into.

Until I got this record in the mail I had never heard of Shackles. When I threw this record on I instantly realised that I me and this band were going to get along just fine. Byron has been known to produce a few pretty alright bands over the years, but nothing quite like this.

While the opening track my be quite relaxed with some screeching feedback, this is only building things up for the onslaught that is about to be unleashed on your ears. Fast drums, fast guitars and harsh aggressive vocals are what this band is all about. While the band are in their prime when playing fast, they can be just as crushing and rip out one hell of a beatdown as they prove in tracks like Generation Why. The tone on the guitar for this record really drives the whole sound of the band. There is no crazy soloing, or over the top effects, it’s just solid tough riff after riff. The vocals then take these riffs and push them even further by adding even more depth to the already well layered song structures.

This recording is raw, stripped back and the band couldn’t have gone about things any better. Like all good thrash albums, the majority of the songs on this recording are less than one minute long. To make up for the shortness the band has managed to stick fourteen tracks on a 7 inch record to keep us all happy. The production on this record is very minimal, which is exactly as is should be and really highlights each element in the recording by doing so.

This band is what hardcore thrash should be all about. It’s fast, heavy and leaves you craving more! While a lot of people still may not have heard of Shackles, there is no doubt in my mind that if you are into your aggressive hardcore, after one listen, these guys are going to be heading straight to the top of your must see list.