Starscream – Shatter the Sky Review

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“Shatter the Sky” is a burning smoking hot cauldron of influences cooked slowly and carefully in 6 tracks. The of music Starscream do isn’t the Hair Metal most people call Hard Rock. In fact, it’s really hard to stamp a label on the band because they really are a cauldron of influences and sonancies. But it’s fair to say that Starscream go from the 1970 Hard Rock as Aerosmith to 1980’s Hair Metal as Skid Row – this one I borrowed from the band’s press release. However, if the band had only those influences it would be so simple. The thing is that there are Thin Lizzy, Triumph, Uriah Heep, AC/DC, and Judas Priest in the middle of everything. Yeah, lots of things together and in the middle. Interestingly, the band agrees with me saying that “[…] all in the vein of Helloween, Van Halen or DIO. With a dash of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath for good measure.” I couldn’t agree more.

The album starts with the shattering “Shatter the Sky” – no pun intended. By the track it’s possible to see one of them facetes of the band. Here they are much more 1970’s Hard Rock as Bad Company or even Triumph with a chordly riffing guitar full of overdrive. I dare to say that the riffs have some groove as well. Then comes “The Fury” with its Epic Old School Heavy Metal overtones to impress the fan with the fast riffing guitars. It’s when Dio is to remember. Here is when Old School Heavy Metal appears in the band to stay. The guitar riffs full of overdrive low-tuned with the hard picking that we all know and appreciate are here. Next track “Time” showcases the Triumph’s “Never Surrender” era influence I mentioned before. Great bass lines as well that embellish the guitars. “Shatter the Sky” is where the old meets the new shamelessly.

In a nutshell, “Shatter the Sky” is a modern album just because they are a cauldron of influences mixed with care and passion for music. Passion for music is everything that really matters, if you know what I mean. The album is heavy and thick spiced with lots of heart and soul. Does anyone need more?

Starscream “Shatter the Sky” was released on June 28th via Rock Company.

Track Listing:

  1. Shatter the Sky
  2. The Fury
  3. Time
  4. Xenophobia
  5. Hold Your Tongue
  6. Lockdown

Watch “Shatter the Sky” official alive video here:

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