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 April Spotlight - Aftershok
These American bands just sent out a rally call across the universe, echoing the
sentiments of long standing heavy metal fans with each mighty release. This time around we
get Aftershok, a hard working, ear pleasing crowd of fine tuned specialists, each equipped
with the willpower to lead and not follow. With so many bands in the US striving to be the
flavor of the month, Aftershok fights for the rock, really going to bat for the
underground superstars, a calling to arms if you will for bands like Overlorde, October
31, and Attacker. It is this mentality and drive that really pushes true metalheads
forward, reaching down to pick up those who have fallen due to the enormous amount of
commercial fluff floating through the airwaves on any given day. Aftershok are a working
man's metal band, a blue collar unit hellbent on delivering the finest in traditional
heavy metal. Now, after nine years spent training and perfecting their craft, this crack
commando unit is back in the trenches again, this time armed with their best album to
date, "Burning Chrome".
Many of you will recognize the voice of Vic Hix. He was the leader of the cult 80s metal
group Shok Paris, an awe inspiring band that managed to record three albums in their short
career, "Go For The Throat", "Steel And Starlight", and "Concrete
Killers". After a few years away from the scene Hix met up with George Mihalovich and
started tossing around ideas. By 2000 the group was complete and started performing shows
across the US, delighting crowds with their traditional approach to heavy metal. Memorable
hooks, soaring leads, and melodic vocals are just some of the fine elements you will find
within this talented four-piece. Using hard rock as the definitive foundation, Aftershok
incorporate heavy riffing and fantasy styled storytelling into their brew, making for a
lethal concoction sure to please even the most die-hard Euro fans. That is what I really
like about the band, their fuel injected level of intense metal passion, possibly even
rivaling those crazy Germans in sure fire intensity and determination. For years I've
tracked down the most obscure power metal of Europe, scouting through pages and pages of
German, Swedish, Finnish, and Japanese metal groups. Now it is as easy as looking out of
my back door, with the likes of Attacker, Miles Beyond, Skullview, and October 31
showcasing the fact that Americans still care about metal. We still care about true metal
no matter how much the press praises bands like Slipknot, Linkin Park, and DevilDriver. We
are beyond that, and with groups like Aftershok backing us we prove that statement. But
stepping off of my soapbox, let us go in depth with these red, white, and blue warriors.
The group released their debut "Unfinished Business", in 2002. That album showed
off a band that was deeply rooted in classic metal, basing much of their sound on the hard
rock backbone of the mid-80s. The band took it upon themselves to carry on the torch in
much the same way as Dio, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest. The release received critical
praise worldwide and now, three years later, the band return with their Auburn Records
effort "Burning Chrome", a pleasing assortment of solid tunes that demonstrates
both the band's metal power and strategic command of the traditional elements but also
showcases a fine group of individuals who really "get it". What exactly do they
get? It is really simple. They understand what their audience wants and desires. They
understand their own wants and desires by simply staying true to their roots and playing
loud, rock-hard, heavy metal for the fans and for themselves. They don't dress up in
trendy garb, sporting "hot topic" fashion so to speak, instead they just go out
there and play the part of the average working man, striving to make it by day and hitting
the stage and lights at night to deliver the proverbial goods. This is American heavy
metal, no dress up, no cloning, no lies, just simple, honest, crowd pleasing fun with an
emphasis on the heavy metal concept.
Really Aftershok hit on all cylinders here, whether it is the speedy race to the finish
with "Livin' On The Redline" or the simple wall shaking rockers like
"Burning Chrome" and "Edge Of Tomorrow". The band really is like a
modern day Accept or Scorpions if you will. Both of those legendary bands delivered both
foot stomping hard rock while also pleasing the "leather boys" with a powerful
mastery of the galloping speed metal numbers made famous by the likes of Maiden and Saxon.
Aftershok are that good, really recalling the finest moments of those diverse 80s acts. To
rock or to just shred, really it can be done either way, with most of this sophomore
effort made up with more faster, crunchier numbers than the band's predecessor. I really
like the improvement both in speed and heaviness, with the band still keeping it's melodic
hooks and catchy songwriting. I think fans will be surprised at the furious display of
strength and might on faster cuts like "Sons Of Thunder", "Livin' On The
Redline", and "Bombs Away". The band even incorporate a bit of
"epic" songwriting with "The Gathering", which will surely please
those of you with the "quickening". Also of note is Auburn's flashy packaging,
with vibrant colors and crystal clear photography. This is just a super job all around.
Suits and ties out there, this is what we really want! Aftershok is a fine example of what
we want brought to the table. We are tired of settling for seconds and thirds. We want
pure heavy metal, pure power in pure power form. This is the perfect sound that we are
looking for. We are your consumers and music lovers. We are your ticket buyers. We are
your present and your future. For American radio and media, why not start the summer off
with a huge bang, open up the floodgates and allow these iron-clad warriors a little room
to shine. Let us burn a little chrome, eh?
Listen to "Against The Rage" now!! http://209.240.26.127/mp3/rage.mp3
Band Website - www.aftershok.com
--EC
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