From their promo pics, you’d think California trio The Shrine play a fairly straight take on stoner rock; there’s denim, there’s facial hair, and their new album has song titles like ‘Acid Drop’ and ‘Space Steppin’. But don’t be fooled, these guys are punks in disguise.

Produced by Dave Jerden (Alice In Chains, Jane’s Addiction), Rare Breed is the band’s third album and first on Century Media and is 40 minutes of punk-fuelled rock and roll, shout-along lyrics and plenty of solos, all played with bags of energy, and there’s nothing too strenuous or thought provoking.

Lead single ‘Death To Invaders’ is a simple fist pumper, ‘Acid Drop’ combines a bit of Red Fang and shouty Oi! Punk while ‘Savage Skull and Nomads’ is a full on punk assault. On occasion – such as the groovy title track, the solo-filled ‘The Vulture’ or instrumental ‘Pull the Triggr’ – the punk takes a backseat and the stoner elements are allowed to air and provide a bit of variety.

There’s plenty of unexpected moments too; ‘Dusted an Busted’ starts as a plodding ballad-lite singalong before breaking out in a classic NWOBHM solo fest for a fiery finish, while the psychedelic jamming of seven minute closer ‘Space Steppin’ sounds like an almost entirely different band, but is still good fun.

The Shrine know how to combine punk rawkishness with proper rock and roll sensibilities. Rare Breed is good fun and sounds like it was written specifically for a classic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack. Hard to fault, but if punk or skater rock isn’t your thing, you might find the occasional breakouts into more experiment territory too infrequent to really enjoy.

6.0/10

DAN SWINHOE

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