Review: ALBUM: 'Beyond The Pale' by Shields

If you like crippling down-tuned riffs, growling bass lines, pummeling drums and emphatic, triumphant vocals then I direct you to this blistering debut album by Leeds medieval power rockers SHIELDS.

'Beyond The Pale' emits a monstrous signal reaching far back to ancient realms where pillaging and other primitive acts scorn the earth. A grave reminder that when four individuals come together to play music, it can be ultimately magical. Yes this band are unsigned and yes this band are local, which pains for me to say it. It pains me because there are so many other bands in Shields' situation; recording music that deserves more attention. However, that aside, Shields are a band on the rise and one can only hope that this album gets the reception that it deserves.

The album kicks in with the creatively named 'My buddy went to Azeroth & all I got were these lousy arrows' which is a whip cracking track on your quest through 'Beyond the Pale'. it features plenty of heavy, in-your-face transitions that strip and then dress right in front of your ears.

Wet Nuns release new video for 'Heavens Below'

 The insatiable blues thunder of WET NUNS has been depicted in a recent music video containing moments of anger, animosity and sexy-80s-jeans-cut-offs-nothing-but-a-black-bra dancing. Delightful. Wet Nuns have recently been named in the ones to watch list of 2012 in the NME, good on ya lads. Its good to hear NME have discovered music with some heavy balls. The video was done by Sheffield-based director Darren Topliss who has invented videos for such bands as Buoys, Horses and Algiers. His work has included some really cool use of projectors and nifty editing skills. Keep an eye out for him in the future.