The thing that kept me listening to Shaft's Quint from start to finish was the fact that the singer actually sings. And, has quite the voice, too. The hard rock-metal playground the work within just doesn't seem to have any balls; it's weak, and just when you think it's going to get hard and kick some ass, it backs down from the fight.

The band seems to be pulling the punches on this one. They'll build you up before leaving you to hang. The energy, intensity, and all around power that this type of music is built around are severely lacking. Vocally, though, they're solid. I'll give it a C-.

Shadows Fall: The War Within

Shake Appeal: You're Too Rich

[Issue Thirty-Two // July-August 2000]