Review by Dom Vigil
There must be something in the water in Phoenix, Arizona. It seems that every time I fall in love with a new band, they hail from The Grand Canyon State, and The Dead Rabbitts are no exception. Listening to their debut full-length album, Shapeshifter brought me right back to 2008, when vocalist Craig Mabbitt first formed his old group, The Word Alive, and reminded me why I love him as a frontman so much.
This album is just explosive – there’s no other way to describe it. The first track hits you in the face with raw energy and unbridled talent, and the amazing songwriting and flawless vocals and lyrics force you to stay. Shapeshifter is just full of energy. It’s heavy and fast and hard-hitting, but Craig’s vocals are still melodic in the choruses, which makes for an amazing contrast.
Arguably the best track on Shapeshifter is “Make Me Believe It”. The piano intro for this song is gorgeous and mesmerizing and different than anything any other act is doing right now, which is what makes this song so unique. Then the rest of the band comes in and I’m sold. The entire track, right down to Beartooth frontman, Caleb Shomo’s guest vocals, is just perfectly composed. Shomo’s vocals just mesh amazingly with Mabbitt’s, proving that this was a guest spot that was perfectly chosen and well executed.
Overall, Shapeshifter is an amazing listen. From start to finish, this is an album that combines elements from music I love and grew up listening to with a new, fresher sound that sets them apart from many of the acts currently in their genre. They don’t play it safe and they’re not afraid to do something different than other bands, and ultimately, that’s what makes The Dead Rabbitts so great.
Rating: 4.5/5
Listen to: “Make Me Believe It”