US melodic hard rockers SHAD should be well known to readers of MelodicRock. Their 2 singles to date have created solid interest, but now that’s all going to go into overdrive thanks to one of the classiest EPs I’ve heard in a long while.

I generally avoid EPs as I like a full plate of music, but the 5 tracks offered up here on ‘5ive’ – all powered by hotshot producer Bob St. John – pack the equivalent punch of many full albums.

Produced & Engineered by Bob St. John at PDQ Studio, Miami and then backed up with mastering by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, SHAD’s new EP puts them on the same playing field as the big boys.

Not only with the sonic quality and expert mix, but also by delivering 5 compelling, enjoyable solid rock anthems.

Back To You, Fool, Belittle, Today & Poor Excuse are five different tracks that work alone and also together, as the sound and the sequence of the tracks takes the listener on the same kind of journey a full album normally would.

Crunchy guitars, real drums, thumping bass are all clearly audible in the mix, then add some big layered chorus harmonies.

The sound is hard rock, commercial American – not necessarily 80s – but an amalgamation of what made the late 80s/early 90s so good with an updated feel. There’s a touch of blues, a little funk, but mainly its just all rock. Very loud, very good rock!