Album Review: Shrapnel - Palace For The Insane
Reviewed by Carl Black
Straight off the bat, first taxi on the rank, my starter for ten, a big statement. Shrapnel’s Palace for the Insane is the best thrash album of 2020! It’s not escaped me that Sepultura and Testament have both released albums this year. I’ll say it again for the people in the cheap seats… SHRAPNEL’S PALACE FOR THE INSANE IS THE BEST THRASH ALBUM OF 2020!
It could have been so different, having a line up change with key members from a relatively stable line up leave the band before the recording of this album, Shrapnel have recovered and clutched victory from the jaws of defeat. During the course of this album they cover a plethora of styles. Fast? Sure, 'Infernal Choir' and 'The Mace'. Slow? No sooner said than done. We’ve got 'Salt The Earth' and 'Violent Now, Forever.' Dark and brooding? Easy. 'Begin Again'. Black Metal, no problem, have a listen to 'Bury Me Alive'. How about if Motorhead discovered blast beats? They’ve got that covered, 'Turn Off The Lights'.
Every now and again a band hit a sweet spot. The planets align and a song is produced that sends ripples throughout a bands career. Shrapnel have had just such a moment in the shape of 'Might of Cygnus'. Shrapnel now have their "Holy Wars"; they have their "Master of Puppets". It’s an enthralling six minutes and forty seconds. Begins with an intro to rival Metallica’s 'Blackened'. Then it kicks in with some brutal riffs that build up to a chorus that is laced with delicious hooks. The riffs are repeated and the guitar work is elaborated on each pass. As Brian Clough might have said, “it’s a beautiful song that is played… beautifully."
I will end this review as I started it, with a big statement. 'Might of Cygnus' is the BEST SONG IN METAL THIS YEAR! If you only buy one album this year, if you only listen to one song, make sure it's Shrapnel.
'Palace For The Insane' is released on Candlelight Records on May 15th
ICYMI - Check out the time Shrapnel got shipwrecked on Devil's Island!
