Well, well... A middle ground between the heaviness of BLACK SABBATH and the Hardcore energy of BLACK FLAG. I could also say that some Pop Punk main features are presented as well on the work of the North American trio THE SHRINE on their third album, "Rare Breed".

Aggressive and nasty, but as well having a great amount of melodies and even a good accessibility for a broader public, their work is really good. It's not the newest thing on Earth or even the greatest band of all time but they are pretty good at what they are doing. They focus their energy on creating short and melodic songs with very good vocals, hooking guitars and a simple (but efficient) rhythm. But I really think they have some musical potential inside them.

Dave Jerden (who previously worked with ALICE IN CHAINS, SOCIAL DISTORTION and JANE'S ADDICTION) is the album's producer. Of course he gave the necessary clear sound for us to clearly hear what the trio is playing, but as well as that; he gave that distorted and nasty sound that a band of this genre must have. It's a matter of survival for their sound which chooses to blend Metal, Hardcore and Hard Rock.

Their eleven songs have personality, they sound better the more you get used to "Rare Breed".

"Coming Down Quick" has a distorted, hooking and nasty feeling (with some pretty good arrangements on guitars); the musical accessibility that "Death to Invaders" has; the slower and charming "Rare Breed" (with tempos not too fast or too slow, and fine vocals); the heavy and full of groovy melodies. "Savage Skulls and Nomads" has very good work from bass and drums. The bone breaking "Never More Than Now" has incredibly abrasive riffs. The long (lasting more than seven minutes) "Space Stepping", is where their BLACK SABBATH influence is clearer than on the previous songs.

A fine album, indeed, but I still have the idea that they can be better than what we hear here. But for now, hear "Rare Breed" and have fun, nephews and nieces of mine.