Shylock

The Germans are very good at the kind of rock that breeds anthems and air guitarists.
Shylock are not the most original of bands but their style is classic NWOBHM (or should that be NWOGHM) with huge nods to Maiden and Def Leppard.

Massive drumming and soaring guitars along with brutal riffs – just try to keep your head still as the band tears into 'Dawn’ – the band features two of the better axemen in Germany at the moment in Johannes Amrhein & Michael 'Nudge’ Bayer and they do make a good noise together.
Vocalist Matthias Schenk is no Axl Rose but he handles the screamy stuff pretty well, only letting himself down a little on the ballads where he tends to be a little nasal.

The songs are strong with great hooks and melody aplenty and they manage to cover a number of different styles without losing their own identity. 'Just For U’ is powerful and brutal with big riffs and soaring vocals anchored by Bernhard Schwingenstein’s bass and Achim Thiergartner on drums and sounds absolutely classic.
'Rose Of Cairo’ could be a great live number as the guitars back up Schenk’s impassioned vocal and 'Somebody Else’ has them in full flow with all parts working like a well oiled motor.

Shylock are not the answer to all rock’s questions but they are a solid and occasionally exceptional outfit and bands like this are the backbone of our Saturday nights.