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:
- Shield of the Triskelion
- The Fire Burns
- Theater of Infinity
- Fight for Freedom
- Down to the Ground
- Truth
- The Ultimatum
- Winding Maze
- Arabian March Prelude
- Quicksand
- Covenant of the Tornado
- Glaciers of Tomorrow
- The Anvil
- Borderlands to Snowy Heart
Watch “Glaciers of Tomorrow” official video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!