SSS
Short Sharp Shock
6.3
As diluted as we think crossover thrash has become due to the popularity of a band like Municipal Waste and the fairly recent emergence of the LA scene, it's still relatively obscure terrain when trying to find decent acts. The formula might be there, but more often than not, the end result is disappointingly shallow. The U.K.'s contribution, SSS, is entirely unoriginal and lacks the unquestionable spirit of their labelmates in Waste, but Short Sharp Shock has its moments, and I could see some Waste fans getting into SSS' sound.
What the band lacks most is the power to sideswipe listeners with a barrage of killer riffs. "Overload," one of the album's longer tracks at 2:51, is one of the exceptions. Sure, the track is fast as hell but there's some serious mosh breaks and hooks. If only they could have written 16 more tracks like this. Most of the album is just too generic; same galloping pace, same vocal tone. It's thrash by numbers and that isn't fun at all, man. Adding a second guitarist to the mix might be a good idea because at least half of the riffs are pretty stale and boring. I am not claiming that Municipal Waste is leading some kind of revolution, but you can expect some variation and distinction between songs, at the very least. It's hard to write too much about an album that elicits a "meh...could have been better, could have been worse" reaction. To the unknowing ear, it sounds like Earache were simply trying to bolster their roster of thrash bands when they picked up SSS, and the fact that the band has only been together for 2 years doesn't help sway the cynic in me.
In all honesty, I was pretty excited when I first got whiff of SSS. I was at the height of my Waste worship and I think I was a little naive to think that every band treading similar ground would sound just as visceral, intense and honest in their craft. I feel a little embarrassed now, like I should be holding my head in my hands, but Short Sharp Shock isn't that bad. Yeah, it's not that good either, but there's some potential here. While 38 minutes sounds pretty paltry for most full-lengths, crossover really is meant to be a 30 and under affair. I think this is a pretty classic case of biting off more than you can chew. There's some good tracks on here, like "OJ Skyrkts," "Last Man Standing," and the title track. It just sucks that most of this is pretty forgettable. Oh well. We won't have to wait long for another plate of thrash from Earache. August 27th...Evile's Enter the Grave.
