Zombie Shaker Box – Encrypted (2011)
What is in a name? If the band Zombie Shaker Box would have come across my desk, with any other name, I may not have checked them out. You see, zombie’s are Hollywood’s current “It” monster. As a horror aficionado, I can’t get enough of the Zombie movies. “The Walking Dead” has become a weekly staple of my T.V. watching. What does this have to do with Zombie Shaker Box? Absolutely nothing. If the band would have been called Ghostly Shaker Box, or Vampire Shaker Box, I may not have given them a proper listen. That would have been a big mistake on my part, as Zombie Shaker Box is pretty damn good.
The band’s debut CD, Encrypted reminds me of a mix of Alice in Chains and a little bit of Ozzy Osbourne here and there. The music is dark, riffy and extremely crank worthy.
Kirk Hulshoff’s layered vocals seemed tailor-made for today’s FM rock radio. Instead of following the way too common path of just playing with down tuned guitars, Jami Lin offers some pretty cool riffs. The rhythm section of Cory Kay and Tomonori Sugiyama deliver a cool groove to the songs on Encrypted.
To my ears, the best songs on Encrypted are “Blow N Smoke” (See Video Below), “Answer To No One” and “Gates of Hell”. These are the most rocking cuts on Encrypted. If there is anything I would change for album # 2, it would be the inclusion of a few more rockers. The mid-tempo numbers aren’t bad, they are actually pretty good, but Encrypted could have used a few more of them. As a whole, I have been enjoying all of the songs on Encrypted, and the whole CD sounds great when played at maximum volume.
If you remember one herd of zombies on this Halloween evening, and beyond, check out Zombie Shaker Box. I think you will like them!
For more information on Zombie Shaker Box, check them out online at the band’s website, or give them a “Like” on Facebook.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Welcome To My Rave
02. Blow N Smoke
03. Tiger Lilly
04. Answer To No One
05. Cry
06. In Loving Memory
07. Gates of Hell
08. Hideaway
09. Industry Witch
10. Ashen
Zombie Shaker Box is:
Kirk Hulshoff – Vocals
Cory Kay – Bass
Tomonori Sugiyama – Drums
Jami Lin – Guitars
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Thank you so much for the plug. Very cool. We are honored that you enjoyed the music. Thanks again, Kirk ZSB
Nice find! This band rocks. I couldn’t find them on Amazon or Spotify by searching on “Zombie Shaker Box” but I found them on Zune, it’s actually one word without spaces, ZombieShakerBox. So far Cry is my favorite.