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Shadow Gallery - Room V
Release: 2005Label: InsideOut Music
By: AvNatten
Posted: Oct 8, 2005
Hailing from Pennsylvania, US comes Shadow Gallery with their fifth release titled "Room V". It is a continuation of the concept story of two people who are searching for a new identity, which they started on 1998's "Tyranny". Due to all the members of Shadow Gallery being producers and/or sound engineers it comes as no surprise that the production and tones on this album is top notch.
The album kicks off with 'Manhunt'. It's a perfect opener with dazzling guitar work, heavy drums, and rumbling bass. From there it flows into 'Comfort Me' a track overflowing with emotion and atmosphere. The Lyrical dialogue exchanged between vocalist Mike Baker and Laura Jaeger is beautiful and astounding, both do a great job at using their voices to convey their feelings. The guitars played by Brendt Allman and Gary Wehrkamp are blazing, heavy, and at times soulful. Joe Nevolo's drums and Carl Cadden's bass lay the perfect foundation for the songs. The atmosphere of the album is built upon by the piano and keys also played by Wehrkamp.
'Torn' opens with great clean guitar work, over which Baker delivers his lyrics with tons of feeling. The notes from the piano add an almost sorrowful atmosphere, fittingly enough since the song tells of one of the characters' struggle after their child is taken from them. Although it is a ballad it still has the emotional peaks and valleys needed to hold the listener's attention. The following song is the thoroughly rocking track 'The Archer Of Ben Salem' with its galloping rhythms and a tempo change around the halfway mark will have your full attention as they unleash powerful sounds and frantic guitar leads.
"Room V" is a progressive metal masterpiece that will be able to satisfy fans that are totally into the prog genre, and those who are just out looking for a good metal album with all around good musicianship. Each song is skilfully crafted to coincide with the story line. This is definitely an album you'll want to read the lyrics for. Shadow Gallery have proven that they can make a story more interesting by intertwining it with emotion drenched metal.
The album kicks off with 'Manhunt'. It's a perfect opener with dazzling guitar work, heavy drums, and rumbling bass. From there it flows into 'Comfort Me' a track overflowing with emotion and atmosphere. The Lyrical dialogue exchanged between vocalist Mike Baker and Laura Jaeger is beautiful and astounding, both do a great job at using their voices to convey their feelings. The guitars played by Brendt Allman and Gary Wehrkamp are blazing, heavy, and at times soulful. Joe Nevolo's drums and Carl Cadden's bass lay the perfect foundation for the songs. The atmosphere of the album is built upon by the piano and keys also played by Wehrkamp.
'Torn' opens with great clean guitar work, over which Baker delivers his lyrics with tons of feeling. The notes from the piano add an almost sorrowful atmosphere, fittingly enough since the song tells of one of the characters' struggle after their child is taken from them. Although it is a ballad it still has the emotional peaks and valleys needed to hold the listener's attention. The following song is the thoroughly rocking track 'The Archer Of Ben Salem' with its galloping rhythms and a tempo change around the halfway mark will have your full attention as they unleash powerful sounds and frantic guitar leads.
"Room V" is a progressive metal masterpiece that will be able to satisfy fans that are totally into the prog genre, and those who are just out looking for a good metal album with all around good musicianship. Each song is skilfully crafted to coincide with the story line. This is definitely an album you'll want to read the lyrics for. Shadow Gallery have proven that they can make a story more interesting by intertwining it with emotion drenched metal.
Rating: 9/10
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