Shotgun Cure – Amorphous (Self-Released)

Thursday, 7th January 2016
Rating: 9/10

A thrash trio from Toronto, Canada, Shotgun Cure spent a good portion of 2015 bringing their live assault to US and Canadian audiences while hopeful to sign on the dotted line with a reputable record label. Given today’s flooded marketplace that’s not easy, as often the trendiest genres with mediocre bands win the most at this game. So we start 2016 with a self-released full-length that expands upon 2014’s Swarm EP that levelled my headspace to the good (and still does). Outside of those 4 cuts making a second appearance (benefiting from a thicker guitar tone), there are 6 additional originals ready for primal sonic consumption.

Smartly seeking out the audio production and engineering expertise of Jamie King (Woe of Tyrants, Killwhitneydead) in North Carolina, Amorphous contains enough muscle and might to knock listeners senseless because of its exciting riff/hook combinations beyond the insane musicianship and obvious chemistry of the three participants. Vocalist/guitarist Harut Savchenko has a fluid sense of delivering crushing, crunch axe work while being a little rougher around the edges in both departments – as “Concrete Tree” and “Scar” contain the right power, melody, and might to see bodies bouncing and flying high. Bassist James Tulloch and drummer Kyle Lecourt run circles around 99% of the rhythm sections in the genre today- equal to the task of being progressive, groovy, sometimes even jazz-like and yet never forgetting their roles as “Blocks of Extinction” is a 5:48 battering ram gallop fest for the ages.

Revocation and Megadeth continue to be the one-two influence tree that Shotgun Cure gravitate towards (as well as Realm for all you late 80’s/early 90’s ardent metalheads), yet there is a lot of classic rock swing and swagger at times during certain time and riff switch ups for “Dejected Life” or “Swarm” that help the band integrate easier on new followers as jaws drop for the interplay between the three instrumentalists. Imagine taking a thrash base and pushing all these classic rock, jazz, Latin, and progressive nuances into the mix- and that gives you a sonic peak into Amorphous’ long-reaching appeal. I love the multi-color science oriented cover as well – the minor atoms giving a peak into the major aural activities you’ll take in once pressing play.

If you are tired of all the newer generation acts coughing up recycled Exodus/Slayer/Testament riffs and attempting to pass it off as their own, Shotgun Cure will renew your faith in the thrash genre.

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