Shields – Death & Connection
Release Date: 30th January 2026
Label: Long Branch Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Metalcore, Post-hardcore, Progressive Metalcore.
FFO: Paleface Swiss, While She Sleeps, Downswing, LANDMVRKS.
Review By: Mike Leighton
British metalcore legends, Shields, are gearing up to release their second full length, Death & Connection on January 30th, 2026! Hailing from London in the UK, Shields quickly gained a following with their 2013 single “I Just Feel The Hate,” which they later re-released in 2023. After their first two singles, Walls (2012) and I Just Feel The Hate (2013), Shields have released two extended plays and one long play. In 2018, shortly after the release of their first full-length, the band took a hiatus due to the untimely passing of their guitarist, George Christie. Fast-forward to 2023, the band quietly returns to the scene with their single “Bury Me.” Shields consists of Joe Edwards on vocals, Samuel Kubrick Finney on guitar and backing vocals, Alastair Wain on drums, and Krishan Pujara on bass. I am very excited to check this out after hearing all the high praise surrounding this band, so let’s jump into the album!
Track one, This Is Not A Dream, was quite an interesting choice for an opener. It isn’t a traditional intro that I thought it was going to be, instead this was a full length spoken word track. This Is Not A Dream seemingly revolves around a toxic relationship ending in a violent way. The energy is felt throughout, not only in the vocals, but in the way the track builds until the very end. Leading straight into the second track, Abuser, the beginning of this track blends very well but harshly (probably intentional) with the ending of track one. Abuser is a short track, to the point, and aggressive as all hell. This track is an in-your-face assault the entire 77 seconds before ending as abruptly as it began. Next we have, Kill, which begins with the choral chant, “I’m gonna kill kill kill everything that I love, it’s the thrill that l I can’t get enough of,” which leads me to believe this track is about someone struggling to control their own self-destructive behaviors and how it hurts those around them. On the other hand, it also made me ask the questions: Have they accepted their behaviors, do they want to fight it, are they starting to like this version of themselves? Kill is an interesting blend of heavy instrumentals, rapping, and singing that highlights a unique blend of styles that really start to be less abrasive on the ears after a few listens! Chunky guitars, and melody threaded throughout this track make it quite an enjoyable song!
Later on, we come to Lacerate. This track is another shorter yet heavier track that continues to highlight the range Shields is capable of and their ability to shift between genres. The guitars and high gutturals really shine on Lacerate; making it an ideal candidate for a live performance, and it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album so far! The next track, Womb, takes on the heavier elements from Lacerate and fuses them with the more melodic ones from Parasites. Womb is heavy and really involves the listener by giving them something to sing along to throughout. Fantastic track overall; one I thoroughly enjoyed!
Later, Wolfskin, hits just as hard as Womb. Implementing blistering guitars, insane highs and lows from Joe Edwards, along with the addition of Taylor Barber’s (Left To Suffer) signature sound, you have a track that is heavy, fun, and bound to be a great addition to a live setlist!
Death & Connection is a solid effort by British metalcore band, Shields. Electronic, rap, and heavy elements litter this album while also keeping those more melodic moments of singing and choruses relevant. The album seamlessly bounces between genres, and Shields likes to throw in some strange sounds, from time to time, that may or may not detract from the songs, depending on listener perspective. The second half of the album was much more enjoyable than the first in my opinion, but this is an album of pain, and you feel that weight in the first few tracks; which I think set the tone for the rest of the album. Overall, great to hear a new effort from these guys, so be sure to check it out when it drops on Jan 30!
(4 / 5)
