The name of Curran Murphy maybe familiar through his time in Nevermore and Annihilator, however his new project Shatter Messiah I’m is sure less of a know quantity. This bands debut release ‘Never Play The Servant’ while being technically proficient and a solid Thrash offering didn’t push the band into the limelight in the way the band would have expected. With Thrash enjoying somewhat of a second coming the question is will Shatter Messiah fare any better with their second release?

Strictly speaking Shatter Messiah don’t fall into the traditional mould characterised by the term Thrash. Sure enough the songs have the grunt and growl and customary foot stompin’ chug along riffs you’d associate with any self respecting Thrash album, but when it comes to Greg Wagner vocal’s there you hit the bone of contention. More in the mould of a Halford or Warrell, and while perfectly within keeping with the music, stylistically is a long way removed from the Araya’s of this world.

Fast and frenetic best describes ‘God Burns Like Flesh’, but the album lacks the impact of their debut release ‘Never Play The Servant’ and any real progression from this record. The album thunders along, and songs such as ‘Idolator’ and ‘Stripped Of Faith’ demonstrate a exception level of musicianship but not such high levels of originality. ‘God Burns Like Flesh’ is by no means a bad album, but in the context of the ever increasing high standards each new Thrash release appears to be set, Shatter Messiah do find themselves needing to push their creativity a great deal harder.