It’s hard to believe it’s taken us this long to get to a post-metal record, but here we are. Alongside Traindodge this is one of the more “obscure” records we’ve covered. *shels are a Trans-Atlantic project that comes from the minds of singer and guitarist Mehdi Safa and drummer Tom Harriman.

If you’re even remotely familiar with the post-hardcore scene in the south of England you’ll know that this band come from impressive stock. Safa and Harriman formed *shels after the demise of Mahumodo, and over the years the project has included members of Eden Maine, Fireapple Red and Devil Sold His Sold.

Their sound is expansive, and when it came to replicating in a live environment the line-up expanded, and at some points reached as many as 8 members on stage, including a trumpet player and three guitarists. It might seem excessive on paper ...