Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Shatterpoint - Consequences - 2004 - Self-released

Track Listing1. Pleasure The Pain 2. Crashing Down 3. Ended By Silence 4. Consequences 5. When I Die 6. No Man's Land

Canada has been the home to some godly thrash in the past, with bands like Anvil, Exciter, D.B.C., and Voivod. These bands were normally cutting edge, heavy, and to top it all off…just damn fun to listen to! While not as creative as of the bands of yore, Toronto’s Shatterpoint deliver a more updated version of thrash metal to a new generation of metalheads. Unfortunately, right now Shatterpoint’s recent EP "Consequences" falls a little short of being at the same level as these legends. Musically speaking, they remind me a lot of a lesser and more modernized version of Sacred Reich with the occasional growled out vocal parts. However, while not a bad band by any means at all, it’s just that they aren’t too interesting; nothing in particular stands out in any of the songs.

While the production is good for an underground release, it almost comes across as a little TOO clean and polished. I think that a rawer and grittier sound would definitely benefit this band greatly (think like Sadus or early Testament). While there are some decent solos and headbanging breakdowns, (i.e. “Pleasure the Pain,” and “Crashing Down”) there are some things on this EP that just don’t click with me.

First, I think the cleaner vocal style just doesn’t work with this band, some of the parts are passable, but vocalist Shane Drake’s range as a singer is rather limited. I honestly find his more growled out vocal patterns to be a whole lot more compelling within the music. Secondly, a lot of the songs suffer from being played at the same tempo, which definitely takes away from the intensity and energy. Another thing that doesn’t work is with the song “When I Die,” its definitely the weakest number on the album, it’s a monotonous tune that gives me an alternative metal feel to it (i.e. Godsmack). This song doesn’t do anything for me until the end, where they finally kick it into full thrash mode again with some decent death metal sounding vocal parts.

For a first release from a brand new band, this is a decent effort; but for the most part, "Consequences" is definitely a non-descript affair.

(6/10)

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Album Cover- http://www.kickedintheface.com/reviews/cover/Shatterpoint%20-%20Consequences.JPG