Shatterbox: Ready to Shatter Through
Jan 15 '03 (Updated Jan 17 '03)
The Bottom Line Good metal from Connecticut
Over Christmas break, I saw on the Thirty Stones website that they'd be playing at a nearby bar, so I called a friend and high-tailed it over to West Springfield, MA, to check them out. There were a few opening acts before the Stones took stage. All were good, but the one that really stood out for us was Shatterbox.
Their heavy yet melodic sound worked well and got the crowd excited. Their set was tight and showcased their talent well. I was so impressed that I bought their CD, a July 2002 release called Fragmented. Recorded at Sleepless Sound Studio, this seven song EP is just about as hard and energetic as their live act and a good purchase for anyone looking for a talented, rising metal band.
Shatterbox is:
Chris Collman - Rhythm Guitar
Tim Griskus - Bass
Pat Halligan - Vocals
Steve Collins - Lead Guitar
Will Beale - Drums
The band formed in 2000 in Hartford, CT. They have already gained some exposure in Connecticut, appearing on WCCC and performing for the station's first annual Rock Expo.
Every track on Fragmented rocks hard, even the slower Despair, which seamlessly goes from droning to screaming with heavy drums and guitars throughout.
Soiled Ground starts things off with crunchy guitar riffs and vocals that oscillate between singing and growling, constantly remaining loud and passionate. Point of Addiction has great drumming and those growls are given an almost echoed effect in the screaming of the song’s title. Lethargic is anything but, closing the album with the same melodic heaviness that keeps Fragmented moving along powerfully all the way through.
My favorite track on the album is 11:34. It opens with a riff similar to that of Bush's Machinehead. It keeps with the fast paced music backing the slower vocals, creating a nice contrast. The vocals stay heavy but shift all over the place, especially at the end when Halligan repeats "My body, my soul, my mind" over and over, first in a softer tone to put you in a trance and then as loud as possible to wake you out of it.
The other tracks all rock hard with versatile vocals and strong instrumentation. The music is heavy enough to crank up and get your head banging, but it’s also melodic enough to be able to sing along to and get some parts stuck in your head. I would say that fans of Staind, Cold, and other such bands would enjoy Shatterbox’s sound.
The EP is very good, but it isn't quite at the level of their live sound. I'm sure that once they get noticed by the right people, they'll be able to produce an album with a more polished sound. But for now, Fragmented is an excellent piece of work from these newcomers. I highly suggest checking out their show and buying their album if you get the chance. You might be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
For more info, check out http://www.shatterbox.com.
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