This is Shatterpoint’s debut CD and for those who are yet to be acquainted with the band they hail from Toronto Canada and formed in 2002. They released an EP entitled Consequences in 2004 and with practically every other band out there they promise us that they are full of “integrity.” Clocking in at approximately sixty-nine minutes long the band have certainly not shirked in the value for money department. They’ve also not shirked on the riffs or tunes either. 

The first real song is Today’s promises are Tomorrow’s Lies which gets us off to a solid start before Thorn Inside picks up the ante. This song is dominated by intense riffing and furious drumming and is quite excellent and unlike the recent Hatesphere CD isn’t overly aggressive for the sake of it. 

Out Falls the Pain and Torn Apart keep the quality high whilst No One Else to Blame is almost a throwback to Nu Metal but don’t let that put you off. Gone again keeps the tempo high and features some rather fetching growls and it’s about now that I begin to think that a little variation in pace may help and although it doesn’t arrive Murder for Hire is still pretty good. 

Hatetrip is, IMHO, the best track on the album. It’s fast. Visceral and also has a lightning fast solo and is almost worth the entrance money on its own as the saying goes. The title track actually does slow the pace down a tad and for some reason reminds me of Black Sabbath before all hell breaks loose and things get considerably wilder. Waste is the final song on the album proper and in keeping with the rest of the CD, there’s no compromise on the power and things finish off on a high. 

In an act of supreme kindness the band/record company have tagged on four tracks from the 2004 EP Consequences and very fine they are too, perhaps less polished in the production department and certainly not quite as sonically powerful. Nevertheless all of these final songs are worthy of attention. I have mention in passing though, the superlative guitar work on Ended by Silence – absolutely awesome. 

Dead Precedence is a fine debut album and if the band continues to (in their own words), “search for the almighty riff,” there is every chance that their next album may well be something really special.

Let us know your views on 'Dead Precedence'

Track Listing

Enemy At The Gate (Intro)
Today's Promises Are Tomorrow's Lies
Thorn Inside
Out Falls The Pain
Torn Apart
No One Else To Blame
Gone
Murder For Hire
Hatetrip
Dead Precedence
Waste

Line Up

Shane Drake - Vocals/Guitar
Grog - Guitars
Chris Zeeman - Bass
Steve Mitchell - Drums