Shackles was formed in Sydney in the year 2000 by Loony (guitars), Ian (vocals/bass) and - one-time vocalist for German thrash gods Minotaur - Rainer on guitar. This line-up created early Shackles tracks such as ‘Coup de grace’, ‘Hunted to death’ and ‘Cat o’ nine tails’ before Rainer left the fold. By now Samsara’s Wounds guitarist Joss had joined on drums, and, armed with a full set of originals, Shackles repulsed one and all with a couple of drunken party shows.
The slut metal beast was gathering steam, ‘til Joss (by now also screaming with Infernal Method) relocated to Adelaide in late 2002. After a short break, Loony and Ian regrouped, enlisting the services of Mordacum guitarist Chris on drums and Samsara’s Wounds axeman Dave on lead guitar. This line-up rehearsed, wrote more songs and finally, on 28 March, 2003, took the iron gang to the stage for the first time. Four more shows ensued, building up the Shackles reputation for high energy, raw deathrash metal. Then, with a debut recording imminent, Chris left town, leaving the band once more without a drummer.
After laying low through the second half of 2003, the sinners united again, with Joss back in Sydney and back behind the kit. A series of savage rehearsals took place, before Shackles returned to curse the crowds of Sydney at the start of 2004. Three more shows followed, building up a loyal band of supporters in the city of sin. Then, midway through the year, Ian decided that, to take the band to the next level, two new maniac guitarists were required. In July of 2004, Dario and Matt joined Joss and Ian to forge the strongest version of Shackles yet.
2005 saw Shackles return to the stage once again, including shows in Melbourne and Canberra for the first time, as well as a support slot on the Sydney leg of the Toxic Holocaust Oz tour. A rehearsal demo ‘Orgy of corpses’ was released and gained promising reviews around the globe. Recording of a studio demo was commenced in the wild west of Sydney, though the results never saw the cold light of day.
2006 has been the most productive year yet, featuring the ‘April May June’ tour of Bendigo, Brisbane and Melbourne and at long last the completion of the debut studio demo ‘Coup de grace’. With Hobart and Melbourne taken by force and a 7” entitled ‘Inquisitor’s curse’ soon to be unleashed, the chain gang continues to gather strength. More crimes are inevitable.
Source : http://www.shackles.tk/
