review: Terror--The Damned, The Shamed

When Terror releases an album, it's generally like they're preaching to the choir. On their excellent first record, 2003's Lowest of the Low, the group established their signature sound: high energy, slightly metallic, no bullshit hardcore with an old school vibe. On subsequent releases, with the exception of the odd hip-hop interlude, they've repeated themselves again and again. Imagine my astonishment, then, when midway through "Betrayer" from The Damned, The Shamed, I heard 30 whole seconds of clean (!) guitar. "March To Redemption" offers a similar surprise, while "Lost Our Minds" features a nifty little guitar solo and evokes more sadness than rage. If anything, the fact that such minor details feel groundbreaking only underscores how deeply wedded Terror is to its metallic hardcore formula. Nevertheless, while The Damned, The Shamed won't convert any nonbelievers, its relative departures will likely keep the Terror faithful engaged enough to come back for the next serving.

Terror
The Damned, The Shamed
Century Media