A few years ago, Daughtry left their longtime record label and decided to do their own thing and go heavier. Around the same time, singer Chris Daughtry’s stepdaughter passed away from a long battle with depression. The result was Dearly Beloved and saw Daughtry exploring the steps of loss and grief in a very personal way.
Fast forward to 2024 and the band is back with an EP in Shock to the System Pt. 1, the first installment of a full-length record, featuring a few singles that have already hit no. 1 on rock radio in “Artificial” and “Pieces,” and a few new tracks in “The Dam,” “The Reckoning” and the title track, “Shock to the System.”
“The Reckoning” opens the EP with one of the heaviest tracks the band has ever written. It’s a hard-punching adrenaline rush and shows Daughtry making a statement with “This is my reckoning, death to the misery” as Chris Daughtry’s vocals echo through the speakers, giving you chills every time he belts out the lyrics.
“Nervous” is a hypnotizing track that shows Daughtry’s emotional vulnerability, and its lethargic vibe gives you an inside feeling of what it feels like to be in the middle of a depression spell; this one’s an interesting one.
In the end, Shock to the System Pt. 1 is an emotional journey that pulls the bandage off the emotional wounds, showing what’s hidden down deep and brings it to the forefront. It also shows Daughtry exploring his darkest heartaches but also showing the world how he gets through the grief and darkness to take his life back.
Rating: 9.5/10
-Reggie Edwards