Shock Value are a high energy pop/punk band from Sioux Falls in the USA and When Lightning Strikes is their debut album, released on 9/07/2023. With influences from bands such as Machine Gun Kelly, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Sueco, Linkin Park, Green Day, the band, consisting of Nick Bader on vocals, Matt Rice on lead guitar, Nick Roach on rhythm guitar, Corey Gross on bass and Zach Dresch on drums, have come up with their own form of pop/rock/punk/alternative music that really does get the listener tapping their foot….at the very least!

With riffs coming at the listener from all angles, the guitar work is also quite melodic, yet heavy, in places. With a foundation firmly based in the alternative pop/rock genre, this album also takes influence from many others, spreading its reach to many more listeners and totally obliterating the lines between genres.

The drumming is energetic, typical of the pop/punk genre, with the drumbeats keeping the song on track while also providing a continuous upbeat nature to the album, giving it a really positive feel, and the basslines that shine through add a nonchalant swagger to the music.
The vocals are typical of the 90’s alterative rock sound and with a slight quirkiness, they really stand out. Perfect for the style of music created by the instruments, the vocals really complement the music well. Accompanied by backups that are in much the same vein, the album develops a depth and dynamism that entices the listener in.

Rockstar is the first single from the album and there is a video to accompany it which you can watch below and was the song that started it all for the band. Check it out and see what you think for yourself.

Despite only forming in 2023, this band has a big sound and a professionalism that suggests they have been on the scene for many years. The album was recorded and mixed at Wolvii Studio by Michael Tucker and was mastered by Mike Dresch whose long list of credits include working with Nodes of Ranvier.

This is a great debut album and a fantastic one to have a bit of a bop around to. Its high energy, its rocky and, taking the listener on a journey through time and genres, it really does have something for everyone.

One of the messages the Shock Value like to send out to listeners is to “follow your dreams, no matter how crazy they seem,” a sentiment that comes across very evidently in this album.

Fantastic! And fans of pop/rock, rock, alternative rock, or any of the bands listed above are going to love this, so head on over to streaming platforms to give it a listen and see what you think!

Track Listing
1) Rock Star
2) Crash Landing
3) Dirtbag
4) Expensive (ft Denham)
5) Paradise
6) Til I Figure It Out
7) This Time (ft Michael Tucker)
8) Nightmare
9) It’s Okay (To Not Be Okay)
10) My Life Story

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum