MORTILLERY — Shapeshifter (review)

MORTILLERY — Shapeshifter album cover Album · 2016 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Nightfly
Mortillery’s second album, Origin Of Extinction, was my introduction to these Canadian thrash merchants. Thrash colliding with traditional metal riffs, while it still had plenty of drive there was an overall more measured approach and somehow lacked some of the energy of their debut (discovered retrospectively). It was an enjoyable and proficient if unexceptional piece of work. Three years later they’re back with Shapeshifter and all guns are blazing.

Shapeshifter is undoubtedly their best album to date. Not only have they picked up the pace and increased the energy quotient but they’ve also written their best collection of songs so far. This album is positively exploding! From opener Radiation Sickness the brain crushing riffs keep coming. The playing is more vital and the riffs are razor sharp yet still have room for melody – listen to At The Gates. Vocalist Cara McCutchen never lets up and is up there with the best thrash singers as she screams her way through the 9 captivating songs (11 if you have the limited edition). The standard of musicianship is impressive with some compelling guitar work and solo’s from Alex Gutierrez and Kent Quinlan. Equally good are the rhythm section of Miranda Wolfe and Kevin Gaudet.

I do tend to focus more on death metal these days so I may have missed out on some thrash gems but Shapeshifter is definitely one of the best thrash metal albums I’ve heard in recent times. Anyone who ever had an interest in the genre needs to check this out.
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Nightfly wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Cheers Adam.
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Great review, great album.

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