Album Review: Shrapnel – In Gravity

🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: In Gravity
Track 2: Amber Screams
Track 3: Guardian
Track 4: Breaker
Track 5: Judgement
Track 6: Dark Age
Track 7: Follow The Cold
Track 8: As Above…
Track 9: …So Below
Track 10: Absolution

🎸 Album Review:
Shrapnel, the British heavy metal band known for their relentless energy and uncompromising sound, has unleashed their latest offering, ‘In Gravity’, a 10-track powerhouse that showcases their evolution and maturity as musicians. With a mix of thrash metal aggression, melodic hooks, and thought-provoking lyrics, ‘In Gravity’ is a testament to the band’s musical prowess and their ability to push boundaries within the metal genre.

From the opening title track, ‘In Gravity’, Shrapnel sets the tone for the album with blistering riffs, pounding drums, and vocalist Sam Black’s signature growls. The song serves as a perfect introduction to the album’s overarching theme of grappling with inner demons and confronting personal struggles. The band wastes no time in delving into darker territories with tracks like ‘Amber Screams’ and ‘Guardian’, where the intensity is dialed up to eleven, showcasing the band’s technical proficiency and knack for crafting memorable hooks.

Standout tracks like ‘Breaker’ and ‘Judgement’ demonstrate Shrapnel’s ability to seamlessly blend speed and melody, creating a dynamic listening experience that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The intricate guitar work and powerful rhythms on these tracks highlight the band’s growth since their previous releases, showcasing a more refined and polished sound without losing any of their trademark aggression.

‘Dark Age’ and ‘Follow The Cold’ offer a more introspective side to the album, with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics that delve into themes of isolation and self-discovery. These tracks showcase the band’s versatility and willingness to experiment with different textures and moods, adding depth to the overall listening experience.

As the album progresses, ‘As Above…’ and ‘…So Below’ serve as a one-two punch of epic proportions, combining thunderous rhythms with soaring vocals to create an atmosphere of impending doom and redemption. These tracks stand out as some of the most ambitious and emotionally resonant on the album, showcasing Shrapnel’s ability to create music that is both heavy and introspective.

Closing out the album is ‘Absolution’, a sprawling epic that encapsulates the album’s themes of redemption and catharsis. The track builds to a crescendo of crushing riffs and anthemic choruses, leaving the listener with a sense of closure and resolution that is both satisfying and cathartic.

Compared to Shrapnel’s previous albums, ‘In Gravity’ represents a bold step forward for the band in terms of songwriting and production. While their earlier releases were characterized by raw energy and aggression, ‘In Gravity’ sees the band embracing a more nuanced and mature approach to their music, incorporating elements of progressive metal and melodic rock into their sound without sacrificing any of their ferocity.

Overall, ‘In Gravity’ is a triumph for Shrapnel, showcasing a band at the height of their powers and unafraid to push the boundaries of their genre. With its mix of blistering riffs, powerful vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics, the album is a tour de force that demands repeated listens and cements Shrapnel’s status as one of the most exciting bands in modern metal. ‘In Gravity’ is a must-listen for fans of heavy music and a testament to the enduring power of metal as a genre.