Mantra (2025 Reissue)

Shelter is a Hardcore punk band formed by Ray Cappo. After releasing previous works through independent labels, the band signed a deal with the legendary heavy metal and hard rock label Roadrunner Records. Originally released in 1995, the critically acclaimed album Mantra was the first release by the band on the label.

By the time Shelter released the album Mantra, the punk rock scene was in evidence in America, especially in California, with bands like Bad Religion, Rancid, The Offspring and Green Day achieving mainstream popularity.

With Mantra the band moved away from the more punk pop style and created a melodic hardcore style. The song “Here We Go” became an anthem. Lyrically the album focused mainly on Hare Krishna philosophy and  the problems the Western Civilization creates. The first song, "Message of the Bhagavad", is introduced by an excerpt of a Bhagavad Gita verses reading.