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Sonic Shock: Hell to Pay

Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

Sonic Shock Records
www.myspace.com/sonicshockrocks
www.sonicshock.bigcartel.com
By Craig Hartranft,  12.12.2010

I'm not sure how Sonic Shock's homemade EP found my mailbox. It's probably not best to speculate. But this crew from Ontario Canada delivers some kick ass classic hard rock. Obviously so young, they must have been listening to their daddy's old albums for inspiration. Sonic Shock reveals music from a riotous decade, approximately 1978 to 1988. There's measures of simple hard rock, raw punk, Sunset Strip sleaze, and genuine melodic sensibility across Hell to Pay. And this band gets it. There's solid musicianship here; certainly underneath the swagger and grit. Don't look for modern skinny jean emo bullshit: Sonic Shock kicks out the jams on Hell to Pay, the heavy Elvis, the sleazy Gimme Yer Love (rednecks no less?), and raw Spitfire. And then, if you're a scarf wearing emo limp rod, they'll probably kick your ass.

Excepting the horrible production, which makes Sonic Shock sound like somebody tried to suffocate the recording with a pillow, this debut shows Sonic Shock's potential and power. However, how they fit in the current lackluster North American music scene is probably already decided: they won't. Scoop up this disc while you can. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Excepting the horrible production, which muffles them, Sonic Shock delivers solid hard rock with influences from punk to sleaze to melodic hard rock. Check them out!

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]