When I first learned that Angra were splitting up, I was really
surprised and I was really sad, cause that's a band I really liked. I was a
bit angry at them cause they didn't release many things when I first started
getting interested in them (Holy Land), and I immediately thought that
both bands that were created from that split wouldn't be good bands. Time has
proven me wrong, and I'm very glad it did. Not only are Angra
and Shaman two excellent bands, but they both kept something
from the roots of Angra.
Shaman sounds like Angra mainly because of
Andre Matos, his vocals are very particular, and one cannot dismiss the excellent
vocal abilities of Andre. After Toshi (X-Japan) he's the one
that can hit these almost impossible high marks notes. Well, I don't know if
it's intentional or not here, but Andre sounds EXACTLY like Toshi on a few moments
of the album, and that is something I'm really glad, since X-Japan
are no longer here, it makes me feel very good to hear similar vocals on speed
metal.
The album starts with an excellent intro, very much into the "shaman"
(american indians shamans, not the band :)) theme. Then it's followed by the
first song, an atomic bomb, pure demonstration of melodical speed metal. With
violins as guitars' wing mates, incredibly beautiful break (piano, violins...
who said X-Japan ???), great riffs and, magnificent solo, and
the cherry on top of the cake : the beautiful female vocals preceding the perfect
solo. What a solo my friends, probably the best one since Silent Jealousy
(again X-Japan). An impressive song called Here I Am,
so beautiful that it's actually worth buying the album for that song only !
But rest assure you won't just get this perfect song when you purchased this
soon to become a classic album. The second song (Distant Thunder) is
another demonstration of Shaman's talent demonstrated in full
power and majesty. The song is deeper, more atmospheric than the first one,
which displayed the power of melodic metal with an angel-like majesty. Once
again riffs and solos are beautiful and the overall feeling of mature song writing
and deep musical involvement can be heard in this second song. I must say that
what I love the most, what is surely to become a trademark of this band is their
breaks, before or after the solos, there's always a nice piano, or other classical
arrangements (including folk instruments) that really makes a true break from
the metal fast moments. And before Shaman, no other bands than
X-Japan was able to do this with the exception of some prog
metal (but that comes with the style), but not in speed / power metal, not this
way. I'm really curious to know if Andre and the guys know X,
and I will sure ask them if we can get an interview with them.
I could actually write a book about each songs, but I won't and I prefer you
discover some of it by yourself. The rest of the songs are all good to excellent
ones, with the only little disappointment that Andre sometimes borrows (his
own) typical Angra vocal melodies.. this is probably unconscious,
but still it can be felt on one or two songs, nothing bad about it, but the
new Angra sound fresh and new and promising, without having
to get anything from the past (maybe some guitar melodies), and the vocals being
in front of the sound spectrum, it's normal to feel this kind of "déjà
vu" more easily on vocal than one would on guitars or bass... But again,
this is by no mean a problem, just a little observation actually. I also love
the very "theme" like addition in matters of arrangements, not only
in intros but also in some of the songs, the integration of instruments (like
some flutes among others, even many folk ones) to make this all "Shaman"
theme live within the songs, while keeping a strong and sometime epic metal
feeling as the root core of their music. Last but not least, the guest appearance
of master Tobias Sammet in the last (and one of the best) song called Pride.
After particiapting in Toby's magnificent Avantasia project
(from which we'll soon get the very anticipated volume 2), it was only good
courtesy to have Toby sing on Shaman, but I'm very glad he
actually did (Toby being one of my fav. singers) !
The production of this album is approaching perfection, with a perfectly balanced
sound, and the classical arrangements that sometimes reminds Kamelot
(especially on the song Ritual)or X-Japan. The whole
album is a truly pleasure for your ears. Nice artcover as well, although I'm
not fund of the logo to tell you the truth... but that's only cosmetics I guess...
although you know me : I attach quite some important place to the design and
packaging in which the music comes.
In the end, Shaman delivers a perfect debut album, although
we can't hardly call that a debut, since half the band has so much experience
with Angra. A very nice surprise indeed. I'm already looking
forward to listen to the next release from Shaman. So the score
is : "Angra 1 - 1 Shaman". Both bands have shown enormous potential
with their album since the split, and I think that in the end : the fortunate
ones are us, the listeners who instead of having one band, have now two bands,
with distinctive sound and yet many similarities. Congratulations guys ! A buy-or-die
for all fans of melodic speed / power metal and especially fans of the above
mentioned bands.