Shadow of a Doubt

The third release from Texas industrial-metal outfit Skrew, Shadow of a Doubt has all the grinding guitars and aggro vocals fans might expect, yet the group seems to begin losing their way on this 1996 Metal Blade offering. Less mechanical drum patterns and fewer sample-based accoutrements demonstrate Skrew's progression away from their industrial beginnings -- not to mention the complete exorcism of anything that smacks of dance. Band leader Adam Grossman establishes some momentum on "She Said" with its compact arrangements and catchy vocals, but he and his group fail to maintain much intensity as the disc decelerates to a crawl. The slow motion negativity of "Head" and "Swallow" further the departure from the band's relentless guitar and sampler hammering. Ultimately a transitional release, Shadow of a Doubt is probably the dullest recording from the talented but somewhat aimless Skrew. ~ Vincent Jeffries