BLACKSHIFT
“Chimera”
(http://phobos.qml.net/~blackshift)

My main complaint the last time I wrote about Sweden’s Blackshift was their choice of vocalist. This time around they’ve found a new guy to handle the vocal part that is better suited. The music is still thrash metal but this time they’ve added a rawer edge to their sound. It took me some time to get what they want to say this time around and I’m still not sure I’m that convinced that they have taken the right path. At times I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all too sketchy to make much sense at all. A bit too anonymous to really impress me. They’re no Forbidden and they have a long way to match The Haunted but this is only their second demo, there’s time to improve and experiment until they find their niche.

-Anders Ekdahl

BLACKSHIFT
“Haunted Grounds”
(http://phobos.qml.net/~blackshift)

It’s tough to start by saying that Blackshift’s vocalist should work more on his vocal attitude but as it is now this is what could be the difference between getting noticed or ending up in the trash can. But seeing as this is Blackshift’s first demo there is time to fix it. Because musically this Swedish five piece present us with a thrash metal that isn’t too off the base. With one foot in the old classical Bay Area thrash and another firmly planted in today they could end up giving The Haunted a run for their money.