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ShihadLove Is The New Hate Warner The latest offering from Shihad, back under their original name (thank God!), continues the band's trend of exploring new musical avenues and changing their sound from album to album. While there is little that will ever surpass the raw energy of 'The General Electric', 'Love Is The New Hate' fizzes with a similar intensity. Few bands have put together six albums as musically diverse without losing their edge or originality. The hard rock elements that stood 'The General Electric' in such good stead are strongly featured on 'Love Is The New Hate', as is the artful placement of additional sounds to create a fuller sound. The mysterious first track opens with a gentle musical interlude before you're launched into the ferocity of Empty Shell, Day Will Come and All The Young Fascists, a sound akin to being in a musical washing machine. The thrashing drums, heavy bass lines and lyrics spat out by Jon Toogood could well make you feel uncomfortable; although it's the feeling of being called to arms rather than the sour taste of feeling like you've been cheated. Stand out tracks include Alive (Tom Larkin's drumming is fucking amazing!), Empty Shell, All the Young Fascists, and the slower, take-a-breath Dark Times which eases off the heaviness of sound without losing any intensity. 'Love Is The New Hate' is one of those albums you really need to listen to over and over again before you appreciate it on its own considerable merits. It's not a 2005 version of 'The General Electric', nor is it another 'Pacifier': this album stands out for the band's ability to keep you guessing with each album, and doing so with excellent songwriting.  |
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