Shadow Gallery's history can be traced back all the way to the early 1980's. Then a couple of the members started a band called Sorcerer. The band changed their name in 1990, and soon scored a record deal. Shadow Gallery play progressive metal, heavily influenced by bands like Rush, Yes and Queensr˙che.
SHADOW
GALLERY (1992) MAGNA CARTA
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Line-up: Carl Cadden-James: Bass, Vocals, Flute, Fretless Bass Brendt Allman: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, vocals Mike Baker: Lead Vocals Chris Ingles: Piano and Keyboards |
There are many bands out there that I hear so much about that they are bound to catch my attention. This band got a lot of praise around the release of their 4th album, I decided it was time to check them out. But I wanted to start at the beginning, and I bought this debut-album from a mail-order company called Ginza. But after owning this album for several months already, I honestly can't get too much into it. It's great musicianship, and a decent debut, but non of the songs make me want to listen to the CD over and over again. I'm still looking for the other releases from the band, but this one will not become a frequent player. The label progressive metal is VERY fitting to their music. Imagine a metal version of Rush meets Yes. I would also compare them to Queen and Eternity X. I've also heard this band been compared to Queensr˙che and Iced Earth(!!). It's quite daring to include the 17+ minutes track, called "The Queen Of The City Of Ice", on their first effort though.
Killer tracks: The Dance Of Fools, Question At Hand
CARVED
IN STONE (1995) MAGNA CARTA
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Line-up: Carl Cadden-James: Bass, Vocals, Flute, Fretless Bass Brendt Allman: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, vocals Mike Baker: Lead Vocals Chris Ingles: Piano and Synthesizer Gary Wehrkamp: Piano, Guitar, Synthesizer, Vocals Kevin Soffera: Drums |
After my initial disappointment with this band, I didn't exactly hurry myself up to get a hold of more of their music. But I finally did, and I'm glad I did! 'Carved In Stone' shows a band that have grown as musicians, but first and foremost as songwriters. They have managed to create a sound of their own, yet staying firmly rooted in the progressive metal tradition. I can't help noticing their similarity to Eternity X. And throw in some Savatage and Threshold, and you might get an idea of how these guys sound. The first thing I noticed on this album was the emotions laid there by the vocals. The song "Don't Ever Cry, Just Remember" hit me as being one of the best tunes I've heard in a long time. This progressive metal ballad is filled with emotions, and it kept me coming back to this album again and again. And in doin' so, it also opened up my ears to the other tracks. 'Carved In Stone' ranks nicely alongside other fairly unknown progressive metal masterpieces, such as Threshold's 'Psychedelicatessen' and Eternity X's 'The Edge'.
Killer tracks: Crystalline Dream, Don't Ever Cry, Just Remember
ROOM V (2005) INSIDEOUT/SPV
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ACT III
ACT IV
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Line-up: Carl Cadden-James: Bass, Vocals, Flute Brendt Allman: Guitars, Vocals, Bass Mike Baker: Vocals Gary Wehrkamp: Keyboards, Vocals, Bass, Guitars Joe Nevolo: Drums <Guests: Laura Jaeger - Female Lead Vocals Arjen Lucassen - Guirtar Solo on 8 Joe Stone - First Guitar Solo on 11
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With their aptly entitled fifth album, Shadow Gallery have delivered a follow up to 'Tyranny'. But I think they outdid themselves with 'Room V'. It is an amazing album in every way possible. From musicianship to delivery, from songwriting to production, from artistry to lyrics. To say that this is one of the finest progressive discs in my collection is not an overstatement. But I am reluctant about whether I should call this prog-metal or just prog-rock. You see, the metallic sheen is not so apparent here, but Shadow Gallery are noteworthy more heavy than both the current prog-rock scene, and the mastodon bands that started this genre in the 70's. And that is one of the many reasons why this album is so appealing. It defies boundaries, and just exists as a masterpiece in any perspective, as far as I can see. 'Room V' should be listened to in respect and awe, and nothing else matters. 'Comfort Me' is probably the best male/female duet I've ever heard, "Vow" is maybe one of the better musical testimonies I've leant my ears to and "Rain" might be the most fitting ending song ever. Get the picture? Oh yes, this is a MUST, and will be found on the top 20 of 2005 releases.
Killer tracks: A masterpiece hold only killer tacks!
Carl Cadden-James, Brendt Allman, Brian Ashland, Gary Wehrkamp, Joe Nevolo
DIGITAL GHOSTS (2009) INSIDEOUT
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Line-up: Brian Ashland -
lead vocals, guitar Mike Baker - vocals on 8, 11 Vivian Lalu - Keyboard solo on 4 Srdjan Brankovic - guitar solo on 5 Ricky Dead Fischer, John Zadeh, Jim Roberti - Mike Strunk, Gene Oliver - backing vocals |
Tragedy occurs on October 29th, 2008 when Mike Baker suffers from a heart attack, and dies at the age of 45. Shadow Gallery had just started working on a new album when they found themselves without a singer, and a key member of the band. After weeks of sorrow they quickly realized that the last thing Mike would have wanted was to see the band being buried with him. Thus Shadow Gallery searched, and found, a replacement singer, and the new album was recorded. The result was 'Digital Ghosts', the bands sixth studio album.
Replacing a singer is never easy. And when said member in many ways helped define the bands sound, it is darn near impossible. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to do so. And in Shadow Gallery's situation, it was no way around it. Brian Ashland is the name of the new guy, a new canvas, waiting for paint. Compared to his predecessor, Brian has an overall rougher voice. But he can also be quite smooth, and more often than not he sounds awfully reminiscent of one Geoff Tate (Queensr˙che). The music is the same progressive metal that we are used to from Shadow Gallery. None of the songs on the regular album clocks in at under 6 minutes, so you know you're in for tempo changes, odd time signatures, instrumental parts and the works. The album ebbs and flows as it journeys along, and apart from guest appearances from Ralph Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Clay Barton (Suspyre), there aren't any real surprises here to write about.'Digital Ghosts' was recoded in several sessions, during a time span of over a year. Now, I really don't know if this was the case with earlier Shadow Gallery albums also, but it would seem that most of 'Digital Ghosts' was recorded by Brendt and Gary, thus not really a full band. Mind you, this is all very well done, both musically and songwriting wise. But it lacks a certain feeling when every second song features a different singer. Between Brian, Ralph, Clay and even Carl, you've pretty much divided the album in 2, vocal wise. And if you own the special edition, you can also add contributions from the late Mike. That makes 'Digital Ghosts' appear as a "project" more than a band effort. Still, I enjoy the brother part of this album very much. It just pales a little in comparison with the monumental 'Room V'. I also want to say, in all fairness, that my love for this genre has become a little lukewarm over the years, and that is of course also coloring my view of this record. So if you are an avid fan of the genre, and especially of Shadow Gallery, I bet you'll find plenty to salivate over here, regardless of my view.
I own the limited edition of this album. It comes as an 8-panel digipak, with 4 exclusive bonus tracks and expanded artwork. "Two Shadows" is a partly upgraded version of the Japan bonus track from the previous album, 'Room V', featuring Mike Baker on vocals. The demo version of "Gold Dust" features vocals by Carl-Cadden James. "In Your Window" is an acapella version of the song "Digital Ghost", and "World Of Fantasy" is a non-album demo song, also featuring vocals by Mike Baker.Killer tracks: Pain, Digital Ghost, Haunted, World Of Fantasy
Gary Wehrkamp guest appearances:
Ayreon - 'Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight Of The Migrator'
