New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The alternative heavy metal band known as "Shim Sham" have released their self-titled debut LP album, "Shim Sham." The record is comprised of 11 original tracks over 40 minutes of listening time. Its sound is dark, yet exultant, aggressive, yet intelligent, and remarkably, wonderfully talented. Their ingenious tone shares attributes with bands such as Tool, Helmet, and Quicksand.
The Los Angeles band, which was originally formed in Chicago, blends many of the most impressive, awesome and admired qualities of alt rock's modern legends. Vocalist Caesar sings with the surgical precision and natural sonorousness of Eddie Vedder, the intensity of Metallica's
James Hetfield, and with the crystal clear delivery of Tool's Maynard
James Keenan. Bass and lead guitarists Josephus and Comicus play with a whirling, driving, chaotic fury that reflects "Shim Sham"s symbolism and general philosophy. The pounding, machine-gunning violence of Swiftus on drums is like the sound of nature making war on humanity. Together on their first full-length record, "Shim Sham," Sham's music reflects the beauty of the mushroom cloud and the menacing silence of a battlefield before the fighting.
These fiery themes make up a large part of Shim Sham's lyrical basis, but the rest is a sardonic, cynical, and extremely amusing sense of humor. When asked about their artistic influences, Shim Sham writes simply, "Our artistic influences range from the satirical comedy of
Mel Brooks to the pessimistic philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer."
Indeed, their stage monikers are taken from the Ancient Roman characters from Mel Brooks' "Great History of the World, Part I." The following description of their lyrical and musical inspirations comes directly from their existing artist's bio:
"On its self-titled debut album, Shim Sham both laments and celebrates the decline of modern culture. Apocalyptic in tone, there is at times real nostalgia and sorrow for what is being lost, however, it seems Shim Sham is mainly focused on reveling in the destruction in an attempt to construct some semblance of meaning or new direction."
Shim Sham's self-titled record, "Shim Sham," is available online worldwide beginning April 5, 2013.
The LP "Shim Sham" is distributed globally by MondoTunes (www.MondoTunes.com) and is available at iTunes or www.top40-charts.com for convenient purchase and download.