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Shadow Gallery > Room V > Reviews
Shadow Gallery - Room V

Sheer perfection - nothing more and nothing less - 100%

Archie, June 15th, 2005

Very few bands can create music that is so brilliantly flawless in every possible way. Dream Theater achieved it with "Images and Words" and "Octavarium", Iron Maiden achieved it with "The Number of The Beast" and "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" and Shadow Gallery achieved it with "Tyranny".

Like the two examples prior to mentioning Shadow Gallery, the band have created their second out and out masterpiece.

From the opening riff to Manhunt to the closing notes of Rain lies undoubtedly an absolute masterpiece.

The two main word's to remember when listening to this album are "Emotion" and "Execution" because throughout this album Shadow Gallery are exceeding every past expectation of those two words.

The lyrics are introspective and emotional, the guitar playing involves shredding but also melody, the keyboards are nothing short of excellent, the bass work is phenomenal and the drumming is of such a standard it could be said that Mike Portnoy was drumming for them.

The star of this album is vocalist Mike Baker . Mike Baker has an absolutely tremendous voice (I'd find it difficult to believe if anyone thought otherwise) which along with the instrumentation put together a sense of serenity and fusion so perfectly that you can't help but feel brilliant inside.

The concept of the album is acts III and IV - continuing on from acts I and II present on the Tyranny album. From one listen you are taking through such an epic journey that Arjen Lucasson (who wrote The Human Equation and Into The Electric Castle under the name Ayreon) would even be mesmerised.

Every song as said previously is flawless, with some songs being sheer brilliance - Room V, The Andromeda Strain and The Archer of Ben Salem are outstanding pieces of music. However, if I was to single out one song then it would be Vow. Putting it lightly - Vow to Shadow Gallery is what A Change Of Seasons is to Dream Theater - one of the greatest pieces of music written in progressive rock history, yes it is THAT good.

Signing for InsideOut has boosted their confidence so much, hopefully now they can get out on the road, that's right, Shadow Gallery have never played live which is a shame as with music like this they'd be one of the greatest live acts on this planet.

In the form of this album you have a new chapter written in progressive rock history, if anyone wonders if prog rock can find a new Genesis, Yes or Pink Floyd then look no further than Shadow Gallery.

Album of the year thus far, I only feel sorry for Opeth who have to somehow try and topple it