Palace for the Insane marks the first recording for Shrapnel’s downsized lineup. With the departure of bassist Cai Beschorner and vocalist Jae Hadley, the band found a one-man replacement for both in Aarran Jacky Tucker.
Like Metallica, Anthrax and many other thrash bands before them, Shrapnel open their album with something far distant from their abrasive sound. The first minute or so is laid back, relaxed, clean… and then “Might of Cygnus” shows its true colours. Sawtooth guitars, harsh vocals and a battering rhythmic pace leave you in no doubt as to which of our many sub-genres Shrapnel find themselves pigeonholed within.
That’s not to say that they’re a one-trick thrashing pony. While they pull from the old school classics, they add their own sound and there’s plenty on here to appease the hardiest headbanger. “Vultures Circle” has a great chorus, catchy and perfect for yelling in the pit. “Cannibal” is appropriately creepy with a great chugging riff throughout.
Another with a quiet start, “Begin Again”, turns out to be the heaviest on the album. Not your typical thrash track, it’s slow and ponderous and the fact that it’s so different makes it one of my favourites. I like it when a band tries something a bit different that works, and Shrapnel have nailed it with this one.
“Bury Me Alive”, amongst others, is the other side of the coin. An absolute breakneck song, it rattles through its six minute life and will leave you bent and broken by the end.
There’s always room for a good thrash band. The genre may be crowded, but Shrapnel have proven once again that they’re up there with the best. An album full of chainsaw guitars and anvil-heavy drums, Palace for the Insane will definitely appeal to fans of both old and new school thrash metal. Make sure you have the cash to grab this when it comes out!
Palace For The Insane is out on May 15th – grab it on Amazon to help support this site!
