High energy, agressive, head banging, heavy metal mayhem. Huge, fast, old school guitar playing.

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Contents

#		Title	Length	Sample
1		Deathwish	4:31
2		Pirate Song	3:32
3		Unreal	4:07
4		Die	3:49
5		Shocked Awake	2:47

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Description

Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, the sound of Raise The Shield is rooted in classic groups like Megadeth, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Testament, but doesn't stop there. Their sound is further informed by more recent groups such as Alice in Chains, Strapping Young Lad, Nevermore and Mastodon. The band has a guitar focused sound with virtuoso style soloing, but the songwriting always comes before any display of technical skill.

The band members you hear on the Shocked Awake EP are Dave Cardwell (Songwriting, Vocals, Guitars, Bass), Steve Grigdesby (Vocals, Guitars), and Jake Then (Vocals, Drums). Steve and Jake have left the band to start their own projects since the recording of the EP. Dave is currently searching for some talented players and working on the new Play With Fire album, coming out at the end of 2006.


From Harm Magazine http://www.harm.us

Raise the Shield are another traditionally outfitted but forward looking metal band from the United States with a silly name that has managed to catch my oft-wandering attention. It's counterpart, Storm the Castle!, is a similar band that I had the pleasure of reviewing a few months back. RTS essentially strip the meat from the bones of early Euro hard rock and power metal, season it with some thrash attitude and serve it up with their cheeky yet energetic style. Deathwish is a song framed around Metallica styled riffs and amusing lyrical content, namely that of getting a blowjob while driving. The only other band that's ever attempted to deal with this seemingly dangerous practice is Pain of Salvation and dissapointingly didn't flesh out that idea to it's obvious conclusion. This is precisely why I tend to enjoy bands like RTS - a band that can oscillate between the serious and the stupid and still manage to have fun while doing it.

The ride continues with the Maiden-esque Pirate Song, with keen folky riffs that are driven by some overall propulsive songwriting. Unreal is a rather dissapointing ballad but tastefully executed, while Die is a tribute to Racer X of sorts. A jackhammer-like double kick ignites an explosion of blazing fret runs, using just the right amount of pomp and flair. The solos manage to capture the essence overblown excess of the 80s without trapping themselves in obvious self-indulgence. Shocked Awake is abundant with some great ideas that other bands tend to shy from, such as sharp 80s style lead breaks that cut through some chugging rhythms. There's a lingering aftermath with this song, as a deceptively catchy vocal melody is inexplicably riveted into the middle of your brain. The production on this demo is nothing to write home about, but the talent and potential of the band is obvious. A great little taste of a band that would have some great stage presence and an ear for great rhythms and melodies. Good stuff!

Standout Tracks: All except Unreal

Rating: Not Rated (Demo)

10/21/2006 Eyeless Sentry