HAMMER OF THE GODS!

the incomplete discography of SHANK a.k.a. THE CURSE OF SHANK.... if you´re into POWER VIOLENCE you should be familiar with these guys! SHANK play a no-frills flavor of frantic THRASH that will have your speakers pounding so fast you'll be lucky if they don't burst into flame from friction heat - that is until they slow down (just for contrast), at which point their pounding takes on the rhythm of continental drift as is just as unstoppable. Their furious delivery is matched by their intelligent lyrics and the rough and tumble production job on that is surprisingly in-your-face and clear considering it was recorded in a basement for like two bucks and a subway token (if the stories are true). I know they hate labels, but people into POWER VIOLENCE should put buying this album on their "to do" list right now because SHANK is one of only a handful of bands who can be mentioned in the same breathe as first-wave POWER VIOLENCE bands without embarrassment. SHANK doesn't really sound like CROSSED OUT but they have the same frenetic energy and use contrasting fast and slow parts just as effectively! when I saw them live they lived up to their promises, too! they really killed and passed the live-check with ease!

b.t.w. the cover and all other artwork for the "THE CURSE OF SHANK" were taken from the British movie SCUM which "is the hard and shocking story of life in a British Borstal for young offenders. Luckily the regime has changed since this film was made. The brutal regime made no attempt to reform or improve the inmates and actively encouraged a power struggle between the 'tough' new inmate and the 'old hands'. The film was originally made as a BBC play but it was banned before ever being shown. So 'Alan Clarke' and 'Roy Minton' got it re-made as a film. This is a tough and brutal film and should not be viewed lightly." if you got the chance: watch it! there's no exaggeration in the above it is a truly tough and brutal film!