Shade of Memories – Glaciers of Tomorrow Review

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From time to time we are able to perceive tendencies inside Metal music. It’s not that easy though. It took me some good years to get that. As everything in life Metal is always in a constant change though its detractors say it doesn’t change at all. Pure lie. Metal changes constantly in front of the eyes of who wants to see it. Of course, these changes aren’t meant to please the sold-out media that devotes its life to worship the god Mamom – if you know what I mean –  and everything that comes from it. Observing this album “Glaciers of Tomorrow” of Power Metal band Shade of Memories that first thing that comes to the eye regarding to change is that Metal bands are incorporationg a huge array of vocabulary to form band names. It’s a known fact that many bands are forming their names using compound words or names with more than one word.  I mean, bands are looking for different meanings than the tradition tells. Shades of Memories doesn’t belong to the traditional array of Metal band names. Maybe because all the good names with one single word are already taken, maybe because thematic has also change inside metallers. This is one tendency noticed here the other is that Metal bands from all styles are incorporating oriental sonancies to their music. Here in “Glaciers of Tomorrow” there’s only one song which uses oriental atmospheres and its name calls for it “Arabian Nights.” Let’s give it some more time to see if this tendency gets usual and lasts.

Ok, then, lets go to our subject of today’s review. Aside all the reflection made Shades of Memories musically delivers some changes inside Power Metal – a style from metal that I’ve been accusing of constant lack of movement. Unfairly or not that’s what I observed in these five years of writing here. Changes come from the start with “Shield of the Triskelion” which explores the Cirith Ungol side of fantasy. The funny thing that Power Metal being so near fantasy the bands don’t explore Cirith Ungol’s sonancy. Maybe because the Ungol is much more related to Doom and Epic Metal. However, “Shield of the Triskelion” shows this influence including the vocals. The other track that shows some important changes is “Down to the Ground” with some progressive features especially when it comes to the bass. It’s opening lines gave me this feeling. “Glaciers of Tomorrow” shows that vocalist Jay Randall Pratt – by the way, vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer – owns a pretty potent and ecletic voice able to change in a finger snap. Following track “Truth” also shows some intersting features as the 1980s short intro. Well, the track really sounds pretty 1980s. Surprises go along with instrumental “The Ultimatum” with a somewhat different mood. The track keeps the attention and its pretty addictive the kind the fan can’t stop humming. Not bad for an instrumental track.

In general “Glaciers of Tomorrow” sounds pretty interesting. It’s an album that has the power of keeping the fan interested in knowing what the next track will show. I recommend it for the ones who like albums with lots of variations around the tracks.

Shades of Memories “Glaciers of Tomorrow” was independently released on March 17th.

Track Listing:

  1. Shield of the Triskelion
  2. The Fire Burns
  3. Theater of Infinity
  4. Fight for Freedom
  5. Down to the Ground
  6. Truth
  7. The Ultimatum
  8. Winding Maze
  9. Arabian March Prelude
  10. Quicksand
  11. Covenant of the Tornado
  12. Glaciers of Tomorrow
  13. The Anvil
  14. Borderlands to Snowy Heart

Watch “Glaciers of Tomorrow” official video here: