Band:	Nasum
Album:	Shift
Style:	Grindcore
Release date:	October 26, 2004
Guest review by:	-tom-

01. Particles
02. The Engine Of Death
03. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Scar
04. No Paradise For The Damned
05. Wrath
06. Fear Is Your Weapon
07. The Deepest Hole
08. High On Hate
09. Pathetic
10. Circle Of Defeat
11. Like Cattle
12. Ros
13. The Smallest Man
14. Cornered
15. Strife
16. The Clash
17. Hets
18. Closer To The End
19. Fury
20. Fight Terror With Terror
21. Ett Inflammerat Sår
22. Deleted Scenes
23. Creature
24. Darkness Falls

With the relase of the fourth album 'shift' , nasum have left relapse records and joined burning heart records. Although the album will still be released on relapse in America, Nasum have decided to sign with European label because of the success of 'helvete' being mainly in Europe. The albums name was chosen because of the changes that have happened since the last album. They have a new line-up (they are now a 4-piece) , they have joined a new label and perhaps it is a hint at the progression they have made, now varying in speed and style several times and instead of simply sticking to grind core they have made a few songs that would be closer to death metal (pathetic) and at times hardcore punk (wrath).

"A grindcore soundtrack to hell on earth" quotes the cover and the sheer power of their music deserves that title. The first 45 seconds of their opener 'particles' builds up from quiet to slow and heavy while gradually getting louder. This only increases the impact when the blast beating chaos commences. As the style alternates from fast and brutal to mid-paced and slightly melodic throughout the album, it stops it losing its edge. Every time it bursts into another super-fast assault it's always as powerful as it was at the start of the album.

Out of the 24 songs, I can honestly say that I like all but one of them. 'fight terror with terror' seemed quite boring, repetitive and even annoying at times. The rest of the album however, ranges from good to brilliant and that's a great accomplishment in my opinion.

A rating of 10 for an album means it is 'groundbreaking' and redefines the genre and although their debut 'inhale/exhale' was impressive enough to influence the grind core scene originators, napalm death, I don't think this album will have as much impact. Although they have changed their style and this is an amazing album, we know what to expect of this band now and they haven't changed that much that the album will get the attention it truly deserves and it may even be over-looked.

Nasum don't need to resort to over-the-top gory/pornographic lyrics and artwork to get attention, their music speaks for itself.