Shapeshifter - The System Is A Vampire

Shapeshifter album The System Is A Vampire. Photo / Supplied

Herald rating: * * * *

Shapeshifter's last album, Soulstice, had some of the Christchurch band's most catchy tracks, and as a result their popularity soared. This time round, on their fourth album, it's all about the trip - and The System Is A Vampire is a thrilling extension of the ebb and flow of their visceral live show. Opener Dutchies, is a hyped-up haere mai anthem that hammers out beats verging on cheesy, fit-inducing house music, but thankfully they don't overstay their welcome; then they drop it down into smooth rolling drum'n'bass territory for Life Time before the ambient and eerie Longest Day and the dancehall slop of Fire.

Despite the album's title, lyrically the album is more loved-up than lippy - "It's the undefinable something ... it's the touch," croons singer P Digsss on tranquil beauty The Touch. So the potency of the album comes mainly from the drums, which are a perfect mix of pummelling power and subtlety.

The trip really starts kicking in on Twin Galaxies, a spacey tune that takes off like a chopper with Digsss in soaring vocal form; Warning takes a darker more atmospheric turn and it's as if dry ice is being pumped out of the speakers. That gives way to the echoing, percussive and primal title track before the drum'n'bass metal of Tokyo.

Played loud this album is like Shapeshifter has set up in the corner of your lounge and you and your mates have them all to yourself. So turn it up.

Scott Kara