Review: Shinedown - EI8HT

When it comes to the current state of hard rock, there are bands who focus on creating really catchy, albeit bland-sounding music with a structure that people are used to. This is fine, but this isn't something that'll make you stand out. This is where SHINEDOWN come in. With EI8HT, the band, who have never been more popular, will be marking the release of what is their most unique, and varied album yet. With 18 songs on the tracklist, this is the American four-piece at their peak.

EI8HT kicks off with At The Bottom. At first, the song sounds like a piano ballad, the first verse being led with piano and acoustic guitar melodies. This leads into the chorus, where the full force of SHINEDOWN appears for the first time. The second verse is much more cinematic, with strings appearing in the background, before the drums help to build the energy up ahead of the second chorus. A guitar solo follows, and this leads into the final chorus. The track ends with the repetition of one of the chorus vocal lines, drilling the hook into the back of your head, and starting the record with a song that instantly keeps you on your toes, not knowing what to expect.

The third track is Burning Down The Disco, and this one, especially for those familiar with SHINEDOWN, will give out a sense of nostalgia. The main riff sounds huge, and the verses are rather mellow, which contrasts the explosive chorus. This is a formula that the band has used for years and years, and it works for them every time, and this track is no exception. After the second chorus, another guitar solo takes place, before the chorus gets built up from something soft, just like the verses, into the bombastic-sounding hook that plays the first couple of times.

Dizzy is the band at their most vulnerable, and as a result, this is one of the songs that stands out the most.  The chorus kicks the track off, but gently. The first verse starts with just the bass drum, and strings. This gets built up before the pre chorus which leaves the listener with a sense of anticipation as the chorus returns much livelier. The second verse is pretty similar, but when the chorus returns, there are different vocal elements, which matched with the clever use of the synths, really elevates this song. The instrumental section here is a mix of synths and stellar guitar work, which is another reason as to why this song not only deserves to be in the spotlight on EI8HT, but also in SHINEDOWN's discography.

Properly kicking off the second half of this record is Safe And Sound, one of the most fast-paced tracks throughout the 18 songs. After the ferocious start to this song with the main riff and first verse, the chorus is where this song stands out. It sounds humongous, and ambient, which is very rare to find in hard rock. This is helped with the use of the vocal layers. After the solo section, which is short, yet effective, one of the best hooks in hard rock this year returns to wrap things up. The main riff returns at the very end with the repetition of “one by one” to finish the song up.

The following track is a ballad, but despite there being a few on this record, the vocal performance here is above any other on these slower tracks. Starting with just vocals and acoustic guitars, frontman Brent Smith is stellar here. After the first chorus, the drums make their presence known, but this is very much a vocal driven song, and every member does their very best to help them shine through. There is a very delicate guitar solo which leads into the final chorus. Searchlight ends just how it begun, with the stripped back guitar, giving the song a really satisfying finale.

Deep End is one of the most experimental sounding songs on this record. It is rapid tempo-wise, but it is synth driven, as opposed to being guitar focused. The chorus is just as much of a highlight as the keys are. It is rapid, but irresistibly infectious. After the second chorus, the simplistic approach to the guitars come through as the solo is basic but works with the vibe this track brings to the table, and the transition from solo to the chorus is possibly the best on this album.

Back To The Living is another standout Smith performance. This song is a particularly gradual builder. It starts off with just Smith and the synths, which leads into a stripped down first chorus. Things get gradually louder during the second verse, but it is the following chorus where the track really comes to life. It is not loud, or heavy, but it is cinematic, and the guitar solo that follows is sensational. The song ends with an extended final chorus, before a combination of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and keys end the song. 

This is the ultimate SHINEDOWN album. It has glimpses of their past, glimpses of their more recent sounding releases, and teases of where the band may be heading in the future. Musically, this is  what you would expect from this band, there are some guitar solos scattered, but the highlights lie in the vocals, and the amazing choruses, making for an outstanding listen.

When it comes to the evolution of musicians and artists in general, very few embrace change. SHINEDOWN know that they are the most popular they have ever been, and they know what people expect from them, but with an album this big, both in the length and the anticipation, things need to be slightly out of the box, and this is what this record is. It is an experiment of new sounds, combined with the classic sound their fans adore. This is not only a triumph, this will be a release that defines this hard rock outfit for years to come, and that is not a prediction, it is a guarantee.

Score: 9/10

EI8HT will be released on May 29th 2026 via Atlantic Records.

Words: Itay Gilad

Photos: Ryan Camp