Most Places Require You to Wear a Mask, Shok Paris Requires You to Wear a "Full Metal Jacket"

It seems like Shok Paris’s "Full Metal Jacket" was one of the longest-anticipated comeback releases in the history of music. I kept hearing talk about the band working on a new album since about 2013. In fact, they might have been announcing the project even earlier than that. I feel like there were multiple occasions within the last three and a half years where I heard announcements that the record was getting close to completion. So, on May 29th, 2020, in the midst of a very tough time worldwide, Shok Paris’s first studio recording in 31 years was finally released via No Remorse Records. From all of this anticipation alone, fans can feel confident that extra time and care has been invested into the development of its songs. The results?

“The Creed” is a neat if unnecessary intro track that more or less keeps you hanging on for just another minute and a half for everything you’ve waited to hear for your years. The title tune kicks right in with a memorable hook that can stay with you even if you don’t remember much else about the album after one listen. “The Nature of the Beast” is a fun, fist-pumping mid-tempo cut that also deserves your undivided attention. “Black Boots” and “Fall From Grace” are among the best of the faster tracks. If you want Shok Paris at their most melodic, you’ll eat up “Brothers in Arms” and “Symphony of the Sea”. These tracks have terrific lead guitar work, and the drumming really shines on “Symphony” as well. The Ohio boys even take a stab at a seven-minute cut with the very melodic finale, “Up the Hammers”.

With "Full Metal Jacket", you’re getting exactly what you’d expect from a reunion album. Their golden years are behind them, don’t set your expectations unrealistically high. You’re still getting a release that sounds like Shok Paris, it is a bit less commercial than the last record prior to their original split (1989’s "Concrete Killers"). The songs are simple, but full of life, heart, harmony, and creativity. Frontman Vic Hix doesn’t have all of the vocal tricks he had in the ‘80s, but sounds very soaring and healthy for his age and is as recognizable as ever. The rhythm section is definitely at the forefront here. This is one album where you won’t be complaining about the bass getting lost in the mix!

It all shows from the feedback the band has received throughout the late spring and summer. Hix has stated, “…we are seeing mostly good reviews, at least from those that like classic metal, but so-so reviews from those that are not in our style…fans are loving it.” If they’re not getting many 1-star reviews, then that’s enough of a reason to give it a listen, right?

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Tags:  Shok Paris, No Remorse Records, American metal, New release 2020, Traditional heavy metal

Nick Statuto    October 02, 2020