There are covers, and then there are re-imagined versions of songs, and when it comes to Shark Island’s crushing version of Depeche Mode’s Policy of Truth, the latter applies in full force.
Other than the fact that both these incredible bands have performed the same song, there is nothing more left in similarities to be found here. As Depeche Mode’s version captured the dark-poppy electronica sound that was so popular back in the day, Shark Island made sure to update the track in a far more aggressive way. While writing this review I am going back and forth between both tracks, and honestly, Shark Island has respectfully created a song that sounds completely new.
Classified as Hard Rock and AOR Rock, the LA based Shark Island are no strangers to the music scene, as they have been putting killer albums out for many years now (they even have some music on the Bill and Ted’s Soundtrack!), and it seems that time has not taken the edge off these seasoned musicians. ‘Policy of Truth is the first single off their greatly anticipated upcoming new album titled Bloodline. and it is sending a real powerful message throughout the music scene; Shark Island are about to release a real show stopper of an album in 2019!
Richard Black has some of the grittiest rock chops I have heard in a long time, Alex Kane and Damir Simic Shime trade off some of the catchiest guitar licks around today, then you have the backbone of this heavy and politically charged single, the crushing drums by Alen Frljak sound incredible when the volume is turned up past ten, while Christian Heilmann holds all this potential chaos together with his chunky bassline. All in all, there is no denying that this band has made it their mission to hit the music scene hard in 2019!
There are times when you can mention the members of the band without also mentioning the creative masterminds behind the scene who make songs like this possible, and this is not one of those times. When you get Alex Kane (Production/mixing), Sylvia Massy (Mixing) and Robert Marshall (Executive Producer) together in one room, the listener must respect the polished and inspired music that comes out of such a powerful collaboration of efforts!
Policy of Truth is no cover to me, as it bravely finds its own voice and energy, while respectfully honoring the message of the original songwriters.
At some point in 2019 we are going to hear the rest of Shark Island’s new album Bloodline and if this heavy song is an indication of what we can expect on the rest of the album, then Shark Island are about to hit the music scene in an undeniable way!
