Shields are one of the UK’s most hyped up-and-coming bands in the metal industry and the band release debut album Life In Exile on April 20th.
Intimacy kicks in with huge riffs and harsh, angsty screams but the ending is a bit disappointing. However, this is all forgotten about as Black Dog kicks you in the feels with a ferocious punch. It’s heavy, angry and will have you creating a one-man mosh pit wherever you choose to listen to it, just be prepared for people to stare at you weirdly as you rock out to this infectious track. In The Grey is the first time we get to hear the melodic cleans of Sam Kubrick a bit more prominently, perfectly complimenting Joe Edwards’ vicious growls in a track that will hit home emotionally to many. It’s Killing Me is equally as groovy as it is heavy while the soaring vocal melodies of Sam in the chorus of Delilah adds a melodic effect to the brutality of the crunching guitars and growls.
The entire record is brutal and technically brilliant. It completely sums up why the UK (and further afield) hold Shields in such high regard.