Shadow

Japan has got to be one of the best breeding grounds for modern metal. They've churned out countless bands that are incredible, and have a lot of very good non-metal bands and acts as well. Essentially, this band is a more vicious Whoracle-era In Flames with a female vocalist.

"Female vocalist?," you may ask. "Arch Enemy did that and it came out awful. How can I ever trust you on this?!" Angela may be a good looker, but her vocals are completely awful. If you've heard Immemorial or Thorr's Hammer, you know how fucking vicious a female vocalist can be, and this chick is really no exception. Tokiko smolders with a caustic rage throughout all nine tracks of this unrelenting opus. You can definitely tell she's a girl, but she spits her burning words out with such convincing flair, you end up not minding one bit in the end.

Musically, this is really nothing new. Generally Iron Maiden worship-y like most melo-death with a few realy chunky death metal riffs every now and then. The drumming is steady and churns along with the guitars and the bass isn't very standout, but overall, the two form a neat rhythm section when combined with the power chord riffing of the rhythm guitarist.

The solos are excellent, tasteful, and well-placed. Very melodic and inspiring at times, they pretty much keep this album afloat through a few of the bad times it has (like melodies repeating themselves and songs basically being the same general idea, to name some things).

Overall, this is really nothing new whatsoever, but it's quite enjoyable if you're just in the market for forty or so minutes of riffs and solos. Oh and if you thought Arch Enemy with Angels sucked, this is for you. Give it a few spins and it might grow on you, like it grew on me. Recommended.

I am thoroughly impressed with this album. I was taken aback when I realized these people were from Japan. This is superior Melodic Death right here. The vocals almost bansheeish, alongside the fast ripping rhythm guitar and the lead playing a smooth melody while they are destroying your ears. It's almost as if this album lowers your mental defenses with the melody, only to let the agression and anger out into your very mind. Superb songs like "Observes From the Satellite" and "The Arrival at the Last Quarter"(which, has a nice and fitting hint of Maidenesqe influence) highlight this album. Those are not the only songs that make this a must buy for fans of the genre, though. Each song seems almost meticulously put together, without the slightest hint of slacking off. Not one track on this album is filler space. They are all valid songs, and this CD is worthy of full play through when it is in your CD player.

My one problem with the album is that, although they are doing a great thing by this release, the sound is all entirely overdone, for the most part. This band adds a refreshing taste to the style, but it is slightly unnerving how it similar it is.

And frankly, i wouldn't doubt that the singer is concealing blades.

But, they know what they are doing, and just why shouldn't they? 87.