Rough Edge: Shattered Realm CD Reviews

SHATTERED REALM

"From the Dead end Blocks Where Life Means Nothing" (Eulogy; 2005)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Talk about bleak. Read aloud the title of Shattered Realm's album title and one can only fathom what this 11-track collection holds. If you guessed a durable display of tough guy hardcore a la Bury Your Dead and Blood for Blood, give yourself props, because that is exactly what this quintet unleashes without an ounce of remorse.

Chugging guitar riffs lead the charge on “Endless,” while gravel throated pleas emblazoned with passion propel tracks like “Fallen” and “Eat Shit.”

Despite the disc clocking in at a mere 22 minutes, and raking over the wares of Hatebreed, Madball, and Terror without a shred of regret, if you need a soundtrack to pillage and destroy to, look no further than this presentation of pent-up bruising hardcore.

For more information, check out http://www.shatteredrealmnj.com.

"Broken Ties . Spoken Lies" (Eulogy; 2002)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

I was not thrilled at the prospect of reviewing another metalcore band (seems like I never am, doesn't it?). Despite the fact that Shattered Realm are on a small label I had seen a bit of hype surrounding the band ... and I am very cautious of hype. A lot of things weren't boding well for my picking up "Broken Ties . Spoken Lies."

In any case, I finally got around to listening to the CD and I must admit that Shattered Realm took me by surprise. Shattered Realm incorporate metallic elements into their hardcore sound more than most bands in their genre. Shattered Realm describes their sound better than I ever could: a "mix of Hatebreed, All Out War, Sepultura, and Slayer." That's not too far off the mark, although I would add that the vocals seem to add a bit of the deep death grunts found in Six Feet Under.

One of the hallmarks of modern hardcore and metalcore is the use of 'breakdowns' as a musical departure from the song without losing sight of the song's main riff. Shattered Realm do 'breakdowns' better than most. Some fans and reviewers claim the band even has 'breakdowns' in their 'breakdowns' - that's a stretch, but it does show how well the band utilizes this musical idiom.

All ten tracks on are non-stop, in-your-face metalcore rockers with the middle section of "The April Situation" taking a slight melodic detour in the vein of Killswitch Engage. Metalcore fans couldn't ask for more than Shattered Realm dishes out on "Broken Ties . Spoken Ties."

The ten tracks on "Broken Ties . Spoken Lies" track in at a nice and tidy 28 minutes. There's not much wasted music on this disc. "Broken Ties . Spoken Lies" includes a few re-recorded versions of songs found on their previous (and hype inducing) EP "All Will Suffer." But that shouldn't deter old and new fans alike from picking up "Broken Ties . Spoken Lies."

Shattered Realm is Chris on vocals, Joe None on guitars, Eric on bass, and Al on drums.

For more information visit http://www.shatteredrealmnj.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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