CoC : Dark Shift - Gaining Ground : Review

Dark Shift - _Gaining Ground_
(Independent, 2006)
by: Quentin Kalis (7.5 out of 10)

Chances are good that Dark Shift will soon be signed to one of the larger independents. Not because their debut is jawdroppingly brilliant, but simply as their accessible and melodic metal is practically tailor-made to appeal to those who get all their metal dietary requirements from the engorged teat of Nuclear Blast. The production and design, although independently done, are excellent, and Dark Shift have clearly pulled out all the stops. There is, of course, a strong nod to heavy metal, but the choruses do contain a nod to latter-day punk. The vocalist's sneering style perhaps owes more to punk than metal, and besides injecting a dose of individualism to a field subsumed by unimpressive clones, it doesn't detract from the overall tenor. Dark Shift surprise in providing a pleasant, if unchallenging listening experience, and if this is your preferred chalice of mead, than it can't hurt to have a quick listen to this band.

Contact: http://www.darkshift.com

(article published 23/6/2007)