Shock Troopers - Blades And Rods
What a difference a couple of years make. Since their debut release, Italian Thrash/Crossover purveyors have really upped their game on this new album ‘Blades and Rods’. The opener, ‘metal slug’ shows the band concentrating on groove and power, much more so than bashing the crap out of their instruments. Still in love with Germanic Thrash of the 80’s, namely Tankard this time around, ‘Competition’ bolts into action like the band has been susceptible to a gallon of energy drinks. You won’t find groundbreaking differences in their music to other crossover bands, but the production and their musicianship has certainly come on leaps and bounds. In fact, they are a highly trained unit and I found with the initial listen, this album does it for me and surely will for you too. At a little over 24 minutes, it is certainly a short sharp attack. The album artwork, whilst fitting to the genre is a great piece. ‘Vice’ opens with James Milton’s (played by the legendary Al Pacino) monologue/speech from the film ‘The Devils Advocate’ (“God Likes to watch….he is a Sadist!” etc) before establishing itself as the longest track on the offering and in a style of thrash a-kin to Britain’s Evile and Shock Troopers label mates Pitiful Reign before going Germanic again with ‘Protection Money’, especially in Vincenzo Librici’s vocals. These Italians still hold true the traditional aspect of thrash’s lyrical content, namely nuclear waste/war on ‘The Rape’ (of the Earth) thus complimenting all the expected elements of a band in this genre, keeping it real if you like.
Shock Troopers have managed to record one hell of a follow up to their debut, the sound, the song arrangements and the overall feel of the album is top notch. If you are after a little thrash and crossover madness to tide you over during the summer months and party literally till you puke, ‘Blades and Rods’ is the perfect soundtrack.
Shock Troopers have managed to record one hell of a follow up to their debut, the sound, the song arrangements and the overall feel of the album is top notch. If you are after a little thrash and crossover madness to tide you over during the summer months and party literally till you puke, ‘Blades and Rods’ is the perfect soundtrack.
1. Intro (Metal Slug)
2. Competition
3. Take Your Eyes Off Me
4. Blades and Rods
5. Vice
6. Road Thrash
7. Toilet Show
8. Protection Money
9. Jail World
10. Waterboating
11. The Rape
Punishment 18 Records
Reviewer: twansibon
Jul 1, 2010
Jul 1, 2010
Next review:
Sister Sin - True Sound Of The Underground
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