Shattered Hope is a Dutch band and was founded in 2002, almost all members were formerly active in the gothic/doom band Hills of Eternity. The band changed their musical direction and now releases its debut EP “Application For Heroism”. The music is best described as melodic heavy metal with progressive, bombastic and death metal influences. The band has recorded the EP in own management.

Drummer Chris Nijboer and bass player Olav van Duin make a solid foundation by putting down a heavy groove. Guitar player Jord Elgersma and keyboard player Harmen Voortman are most responsible for the melodic sound, Jord plays both melodic as heavy guitar riffs which makes “Application For Heroism” a varied album with a special sound.

It’s hard to push Shattered Hope into a musical direction. I think it is really the strength of the band to make some experiences and also to create a modern sound at the same time. The weakest link are definitely the vocals; the singing of Maarten Opbroek is not that very bad but it just doesn’t fit with the progressive metal, he’s missing the power and variation which is needed for the music of Shattered Hope.