ALBUM REVIEW: The Place Unknown – Shredd
Hailing from Glasgow comes garage rockers SHREDD and their debut album The Place Unknown. The band, influenced by the likes of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD and fellow Scottish rockers BIFFY CLYRO, have been shaped by the last few turbulent years that the world has experienced and the toll these years have taken on many people’s mental health as a result. In their own words, “Some of the songs are our heaviest yet, but there’s also a couple that lean more towards our earlier sound. Although we’ve evolved a lot as a band, we wanted our first LP to reflect our entire time together and the result is something really special.” And special it truly is.
Opening with Run Away, They’re Here, the band immediately plunge their listeners into a fast-paced environment as the title suggests. It’s immediately apparent that SHREDD take their influences from those mentioned before, but you can also hear the style of ROYAL BLOOD in there, and vocals which sound similar to those of Alex Turner. You can already picture the band taking part and thriving within the UK alternative rock scene, as well as being welcomed into the grunge/scuzz scene, and maybe even the 70s punk scene. Basically, it’s an incredible clash of genres that works together beautifully. The Collector is further proof of the band’s pure brilliance as it once again returns to that grunge aspect that they use so well and then blends it with a melodic guitar style that switches back and forth. It’s just brilliant noise.
There is never a low point during this record. Each song leaves you wanting more, you’re engaged throughout and you find yourself smiling and even gasping as each face melting breakdown kicks in. One of the record’s many highlights is Feel It, which starts out gentle (at least in comparison to The Collector which precedes it) and is reminiscent of debut era ARCTIC MONKEYS, before it completely switches to more garage-rock style instruments. Other stand-outs include Parasite which is a fantastic grunge track featuring an intriguing distorted noise throughout, I’m Your Nightmare with its ominous opening and emo rock influence (think TAKING BACK SUNDAY or early PARAMORE), and the strong finish with the title track.
The Place Unknown is a loud album that’s incredibly enjoyable. You can hear a range of styles and influences throughout but SHREDD make every bit of it their own so everything feels incredibly unique. It’s fun and just pure rock brilliance. Never once will you be bored and not once will your attention be lost, and it’s only their debut album. We want more!
Rating: 9/10
The Place Unknown is out now via self-release.
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