Shihad - Shot In The Head

Shot in the Head starts out familiar enough. After a short build-up, the type of riff we’ve all come to expect from Shihad blares out of the speakers at you and we’re away. It’s not quite Shihad-by-numbers, but it’s close, and I can’t really see this song changing anyone’s opinion of the band. The chorus just lacks the punch of hits like The General Electric or My Mind’s Sedate. Fortunately the bridge kicks in at just the right time, but production-wise is a little too hidden. Shihad always were a band better experienced live though, so expect this riff to be moving heads in pits across the country.

First b-side Love is the New Hate shares its title with their current album, and for my money should have been included on that release. It’s a slow burning departure from the out and out rock the band are known for, but it’s nice to see the band doing something different. Guitars fade in and feedback over a steady rhythm as Jon Toogood informs us that “Love is the new hate / And I don’t care anymore”. It’s slow, it’s hypnotic, in a weird way it’s comforting, but most importantly it’s good.

The remaining two songs, Extreme Suicide and Heads Are Rolling are not as impressive. Both are decent songs, but don’t have the extra something to push them into album territory. The inclusion of what sounds like a distorted rehearsal room recording of Heads are Rolling is a little confusing too.

(Originally published on FasterLouder)