Melodic metal band from Houston, TX.

SHINING FORCE (2003) BLOODBOUGHT

  1. The Old Serpent Whispers
  2. God Is Calling
  3. Bow Down
  4. Sign Of The Times
  5. The One I Love
  6. Come Quickly
  7. Shining Force
  8. Holy Nation
  9. A La Chamba (In Memory Of Jesse Flores) - instrumental.
  10. Apocalypse
  11. Holy Of Holies (Take Me In)
  12. The Blood
  13. Exodus
  14. The Holy One
  15. All To You

Line-up:

Billy Vaughn - Rhythm Guitars

Randy Dickey - Lead and Backing Vocals

Richard Navarro - Lead and Acoustic Guitars

Adrian Flores - Bass Guitars

Ralph Mendez - Percussion and Keyboards

Shining Force is a new band from Houston, Texas. They play classic heavy metal, with melody and hints of prog-metal. This debut album, simply entitled 'Shining Force', includes no less then 15 heavy metal tracks. And I like what they have to offer. The band aims to spread the Good Word through a metal ministry, and there is a lack of good classic metal bands in the Christian circuits these days, so Shining Force might be a band to change that. But whereas I like the music, and find most of the songs enjoyable, there is a downside to this release. It's the production. It sounds more like a demo, than an actual album. In 2003 there really shouldn't be a problem to get a decent sound, even on a debut. On the upper side though, this band has a strong singer, great lyrics and the music just spells m-e-t-a-l! I also really love the worship-like ballads that are present throughout the CD. If they had removed 3 or 4 songs, they would have created an even tighter record. And the artwork on the cover is not good. But if you are a fan of bands like Sacred Warrior, Barren Cross, Saint and Haven, Shining Force should be right up your alley. 

Killer tracks: Bow Down, The One I Love, Come Quickly, Shining Force, Holy Nation, Holy Of Holies