Despite forming in 2008, the Shrine feel like a band from a wilder, more reckless era. With a sound that harks back to the early days of punk and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the Venice, California band has a sound that evokes the past without relying on nostalgia. Made up of guitarist and vocalist Josh Landau, bassist Court Murphy, and drummer Jeff Murray, the trio merges driving energy with bluesy riffs to create a sound that feels like an unholy union between Black Flag and Black Sabbath. The Shrine debuted their self-described "psychedelic violence" in 2012 with Primitive Blast, and continued their reckless streak with a sophomore effort, Bless Off, in 2014. ~ Gregory Heaney