Ray Cappo, together with guitarist Porcell, formed the basis of the straight-edge punk movement that emerged in the early 1980s. With their punkcore band Youth Of Today they were successful in propagating a 'clean' lifestyle: no sex, drugs or alcohol. Shelter was founded in 1990 and their breakthrough came in 1995 with the album Mantra. Meanwhile, the gentlemen had embraced the teachings of Hare
… Krishna and continued to spread their positive message. After a number of lesser albums When 20 Summers Pass was released last year, which was finally of good old-fashioned quality again. Guitarist Porcell does not play on The Purpose - The Passion, however, and that seems to kill the album in advance. While Cappo's lyrics and vocals are once again excellent, the music doesn't seem to be well thought out and the CD passes by without really noticing. The hardcore elements have almost disappeared and have made way for thirteen-in-a-dozen punk rock. A band like Shelter can do much better than The Purpose - The Passion shows. (RWK)more
