Origin:	USA
Genres:	Thrash Metal

Page online:	May 27, 2007
Last update/review:	October 30, 2007

Shatter Messiah

Guitarist Curran Murphy made a name for himself as a touring guitarist for Nevermore as well as recording a few albums with veteran Canadian thrashers Annihilator, but in neither case was he really able to shine. That's where Shatter Messiah comes in, a band formed by Murphy and with his vision in mind. In short order a lineup was put together and, initially, two EPs were recorded, but the band decided to pair the two unreleased recordings, resulting in the full-length debut Never To Play The Servant. Comparing this group to Murphy's other two bands, Shatter Messiah is decidely more in the Nevermore camp of classy, intricate, thrash-tinged American power metal, with Greg Wagner showing some great versatility at the vocal spot, occasionally going for a higher-pitched yet still forceful vocal style similar to Warrel Dane's. There have been a few bands lumped into the Nevermore-clone camp, and that's probably where Shatter Messiah belongs for the moment, but give them time to come into their own. For now, Servant is an accomplished and recommended first effort.