DEAD SHAPE FIGURE

Every now and then the discerning lover of metal requires a hot dose of modern whiplash thrash. Recently, said dose has been delivered in the form of a fist-to-face debut effort called "The Grand Karoshi" by Finland's oddly named DEAD SHAPE FIGURE. It has been tried, it is definitely true, and it most assuredly will peel paint from the walls of your humble abode.

As you might expect, "The Grand Karoshi" is specially designed for fans of DEW-SCENTED, HURTLOCKER, and of course THE HAUNTED (the first three albums, but specifically the Marco Aro discs). While the style played is not groundbreaking, it is very well performed and kicks one hell of a lot of ass, just as the aforementioned bands do. It is pedal to the metal pretty much all the way, save for the quasi-experimental eight-minute closing track "Perinde Ac Cadaver" (the only one with clean vocal sections, which work just fine). Vocalist Galzi screams his guts out on every track, sounding like a cross between Aro and Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD). His style is convincing and his delivery mostly intelligible, while guitarists Juhani and Kride bust out some dangerously blazing riffs and solos. The album's standout track is unequivocally "Bend the Weak", which boasts a crushing break during which Galzi spits his vitriol with only drum/bass accompaniment, as well as a nasty bitch of a chorus. "Remington Lucifer" is a close second with backing shouts on the refrain and a general approach that reminds of DEMIRICOUS. Getting down to brass tacks, this is what "pissed off" sounds like.

"The Grand Karoshi" is proof that there are still bands out there that have managed to harness the fury of modern, Scandinavian-style thrash. Capable songwriting never hurts either. DEAD SHAPE FIGURE does it right. Turn it up and let it bleed all over you.