A powerful blast of pure, unfiltered hardcore
- david1170
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
“Shreds’ debut album Step Back is a powerful blast of pure, unfiltered hardcore” says Thought Words Action in their review of the new album, available now on LP, CD or digital formats from Engineer Records.
“It’s a comprehensive collection of loud, fast, and aggressive tracks packed with everything you dearly love about this longevous music genre. Found in a disused steel warehouse in Sheffield, Shreds sound like they’ve clawed their way out of the past and into the modern world, dragging the raw energy of classic hardcore with them. They take no prisoners and ask for no permission. This is hardcore in its most primal form, loud, fast, and furious. Step Back doesn’t waste a second. Fourteen tracks, twenty-four minutes, a perfect runtime for an album that blossoms on speed and intensity. Every track explodes with blistering riffs, pounding drums, and vocals that sound like they’re ripped straight from the throat of someone who’s been pushed too far for too long. There’s no time for drawn-out intros or fancy production tricks. Shreds hit hard and fast, and they keep hitting until the final note fades.”
“You can hear the old-school eighties hardcore running through every track, Negative Approach, Negative FX, SS Decontrol, DYS, Black Flag, and Sheer Terror feel like spiritual ancestors to this album. But Shreds don’t just mimic the past. They pull in elements of d-beat, youth crew, melodic hardcore, and Boston and New York hardcore scenes, blending into an album worth spinning over and over again. It’s like a love letter to hardcore roots, rewritten in bold, angry ink for a new generation. This album doesn’t just sound like a packed hardcore gig, it feels like one. You can practically see the sweat flying, the bodies slamming into each other, and the chaos unfolding in a tiny, overcrowded venue. It’s raw, unpolished, and absolutely alive. The production captures that energy perfectly. It’s not too clean, not too polished. It leaves just enough grit and distortion to keep the sound rough and authentic. The vocals are rough, passionate, and filled with fury. You can feel every ounce of frustration, anger, and rebellion in the delivery. There’s no pretension here, just pure, honest emotion. It makes you want to shout along, fists raised high. The riffs are fast, sharp, and relentless. They cut through the mix like a buzzsaw, pushing each song forward with indestructible force. There’s a punk simplicity to the playing, but it’s executed with precision and purpose. No wasted notes, no unnecessary solos, just raw power from start to finish.”
“The rhythm section deserves just as much praise. The bass is thick and driving, anchoring the chaos without slowing it down. The drums are a nonstop barrage of speed and aggression, pushing the tempo to the breaking point and never letting up. Together, they create a foundation strong enough to hold up the sheer weight of the band’s sound. Lyrically, Step Back pulls no punches. Shreds tackle the world’s ugliness head-on, anger, injustice, and the persistent pressure of modern life. The words are sharp and direct, cutting through the noise. These songs are about standing tall, pushing back, and refusing to be broken. This album makes you feel like you can take on the world, even when everything’s falling apart. Step Back shines in all its authenticity. This isn’t a band trying to fit into a mould or chase a trend. Shreds play hardcore because it’s in their blood. They capture the spirit of the genre, the rage, the passion, and the community, and pour it into every second of this album. You can tell they mean every word, and you can feel that sincerity in every riff, beat, and scream.”
“The limited edition vinyl release is the perfect way to experience this album. It feels right to hear it in analogue form, loud, raw, and unfiltered. It’s a reminder of what hardcore is supposed to be, real, urgent, and direct. Step Back reminds us that hardcore isn’t dead, and it never will be as long as bands like Shreds are keeping the flame alive. This is a record that deserves to be played loud, shared with friends, and screamed along until your throat gives out. If this is just the beginning for Shreds, the future of hardcore looks very, very bright.“
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