Review by Chris Pratl on April 2, 2018.

Upon venturing out last night to see the mighty Saxon in a club about the size of a classroom, I was treated to a trio of bands supporting the British legends. Chicago-based Shokker led the charge just as my wife and I were filing into the club, and the immediate high-powered vocal came soaring out over the heads of some familiar faces around me. I immediately had to check out this mighty singer from whence these unholy chords disseminated....

After buying the CD, titled III, I popped it into the player at home the next morning and was happy to hear that same intensity and drive spewing forth like a violent expulsion of musical rage throughout the room. Shokker possesses a true grasp of what real traditional metal is supposed to carry after a long and storied existence since Sabbath first spat out those haunting chords oh so many years ago. Being my first exposure to the band, I saw this redhead of smaller stature bellowing out the most encompassing vocals this side of Doro Pesch, and those same vocals carry over into the amazing CD.

I tend to not focus on the fact that a female is fronting a band, but I casually and carefully put forth the proclamation that this is what the metal community is thirsty for, and not another bevy of Tarja or symphonic clones stuck in a proverbial rut of pedestrian and overused attempts at opera. While I do align vocalist Rachl “Raxx” Quinn with such elite an peer such as Doro Pesch (for sheer power and range), I also hear some elements of Betsy Bitch, Lee Aaron, Ann Boleyn from Hellion, and Leather Leone all adding some historical fuel to this incredible singer. On III, Quinn manages to capture a long-sleeping essence sorely lacking in today's metal music: vocals that come straight from the gut.

Each track on here is a true step back into a time where heavy metal wasn't worried about being lumped into one sardonic sub-genre; it was out there for the masses to enjoy and revere. The guitar work from Casey Tremont relies more on pure heaviness and memorable hooks than trying to speed through on pointless and annoying shtick to make a musical point. “Hammerhead” from the CD is everything an old fart like me craves in today's muddy waters; the track showcases a tight unit that muscles into the psyche and carves a few notches into your cranium. The riffs and familiar power-chord punch to the face is evident on nearly every song, picking up steam with each passing second. I will say there isn't a weak track on this CD, and I'm glad I stopped to pick it up at the merch booth. Standouts for me include the aforementioned “Hammerhead,” “Snake Eyes,” Midnight Sun,” and “III,” but taking in the whole CD in several settings will most likely not be at all arduous for the fan of this type of true metal music.

The entire band makes an extremely formidable quartet (rounded out with Dan Dash on drums and Jorey Guillermo on bass), and the CD is so well-produced that it's hard to believe it's an indie release. I can't imagine a label like Pure Steel not picking up this band; they seem like they would be the perfect fit for such a home label. I will hopefully be catching Shokker in and around my hometown in the coming months, so if you see them on some tour in the coveted opening slot, give them your time – they're well worth your effort! 

Rating: 9 out of 10     

Review by Chris Pratl on April 2, 2018.

Upon venturing out last night to see the mighty Saxon in a club about the size of a classroom, I was treated to a trio of bands supporting the British legends. Chicago-based Shokker led the charge just as my wife and I were filing into the club, and the immediate high-powered vocal came soaring out over the heads of some familiar faces around me. I immediately had to check out this mighty singer from whence these unholy chords disseminated....

After buying the CD, titled III, I popped it into the player at home the next morning and was happy to hear that same intensity and drive spewing forth like a violent expulsion of musical rage throughout the room. Shokker possesses a true grasp of what real traditional metal is supposed to carry after a long and storied existence since Sabbath first spat out those haunting chords oh so many years ago. Being my first exposure to the band, I saw this redhead of smaller stature bellowing out the most encompassing vocals this side of Doro Pesch, and those same vocals carry over into the amazing CD.

I tend to not focus on the fact that a female is fronting a band, but I casually and carefully put forth the proclamation that this is what the metal community is thirsty for, and not another bevy of Tarja or symphonic clones stuck in a proverbial rut of pedestrian and overused attempts at opera. While I do align vocalist Rachl “Raxx” Quinn with such elite an peer such as Doro Pesch (for sheer power and range), I also hear some elements of Betsy Bitch, Lee Aaron, Ann Boleyn from Hellion, and Leather Leone all adding some historical fuel to this incredible singer. On III, Quinn manages to capture a long-sleeping essence sorely lacking in today's metal music: vocals that come straight from the gut.

Each track on here is a true step back into a time where heavy metal wasn't worried about being lumped into one sardonic sub-genre; it was out there for the masses to enjoy and revere. The guitar work from Casey Tremont relies more on pure heaviness and memorable hooks than trying to speed through on pointless and annoying shtick to make a musical point. “Hammerhead” from the CD is everything an old fart like me craves in today's muddy waters; the track showcases a tight unit that muscles into the psyche and carves a few notches into your cranium. The riffs and familiar power-chord punch to the face is evident on nearly every song, picking up steam with each passing second. I will say there isn't a weak track on this CD, and I'm glad I stopped to pick it up at the merch booth. Standouts for me include the aforementioned “Hammerhead,” “Snake Eyes,” Midnight Sun,” and “III,” but taking in the whole CD in several settings will most likely not be at all arduous for the fan of this type of true metal music.

The entire band makes an extremely formidable quartet (rounded out with Dan Dash on drums and Jorey Guillermo on bass), and the CD is so well-produced that it's hard to believe it's an indie release. I can't imagine a label like Pure Steel not picking up this band; they seem like they would be the perfect fit for such a home label. I will hopefully be catching Shokker in and around my hometown in the coming months, so if you see them on some tour in the coveted opening slot, give them your time – they're well worth your effort! 

Rating: 9 out of 10     

Review by Michael on September 25, 2001.

Well after listening to this one, it sounds like it just might get a look in! Ex-Black Metaller’s Godkiller have really taken lyrics to a new level with their latest release "Deliverance". Every lyric on the album is a quote out of the now not so Holy Bible, shedding a much darker and more sinister light on words originally intended to be soft and fluffy. In taking the words out of context, Duke (vocals and founder) has created a whole new meaning and direction that would surely have Pope John Paul II turning in his grave......well he looks dead!

From their Black Metal origins, "Deliverance" is a far cry musically. Dropping the traditional Black Metal sound and moving for a more modern technology-driven industrial sound but at the same time maintaining all the anti-religious sentiment that was always present, Godkiller have created an all together new package for the religiously discontent.

This album is very sample and keyboard heavy, giving a real technological feel to the generally simple but solid guitar riffing equating to a high level of head-band-ability. The only real qualm I have with this recording is the lack of variation in the guitars. A lot of effort has been put into getting the right keyboard sounds and lines, but I feel these are let down by the “didn’t we just hear that?” style guitar lines. Vocally, this album is all clean style vocals, not a scream for miles, which certainly adds a new element to the equation. The pain and suffering covered lyrically comes across in a very different way when it is not screamed, leaving with you with a all together different take on the serious subject matter covered. Production wise this album is also very good, geez...what isn't these days?

Bottom Line: If you are into Industrial Metal then you will surely enjoy this album. If not for the lack of flare in the guitar lines this album would have definitely rated much higher.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by JD on July 29, 2012.

I think that the hardest genre in metal to write about is Progressive Metal. Even more than some of the ultra extreme metal that is out there. It is a style that really does walk a very fine line between cartoonishly overplayed, easily understood to just being completely inaccessible for all but the top musicians. Finland’s Psychema seems to be leaning towards one of those sides as they release their debut album "The Entry Point".

Psychema is outstanding five piece band out of Helsinki, who do something to Progressive Metal that is done not very often. It has made the music 100% accessible to all metaldom. The talent shown here is beyond belief. Playing with such power, razor precise fineness and having this pure sort of talent without going over the masses heads. Simply put is that they play complex music that anyone can grasp and hold on to. Sort of like a metallic Rush with some Dream Theatre but adding extra balls to it... and yet, there is more to them as well that make them even more appealing.

Listening to the album, I am struck by how many good tracks there are. From softer, almost ballad like tracks full of melody to full force metal that insist on headbanging. That goes for the vocals as well, as they shift in the same fashion as flawlessly as the music going from a Death Metal growls to haunting clean . The recording could have used more separation in the mixes between instruments and vocals along with a few minor changes, but the music itself shines through and does it job.

Psychema. A prog band for all metalheads and progsters alike. Others in the Prog genre never could create that sort of balance I have talked about, but this band has done it and with such class as well. As a musician, I love the complexities of Prog Metal but on hearing these Finnish musical gods, I am more impressed by the band never compromising their sound and yet made sure it was not too over done.

Impressed? I fucking am... go out and get it now... I have my own fucking copy.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10