SHADOW GALLERY: Digital Ghosts (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After the death of the band's founder and singer, Mike Baker, several months of anxiety put a strain on fans' patience. Split? Replacement? The enigmatic "departure" of Chris Ingles, about which no other member communicated, did not help to calm spirits. But after months of silence, the band members finally lifted the veil: Shadow Gallery has not disappeared, Shadow Gallery exists, Shadow Gallery lives and it proves it with this unhoped-for album, entirely imbued with a surge of pure magic, to pay tribute in the most beautiful way to their late companion.

From the very beginning of the album, the so particular intensity of Shadow Gallery's music jumps out at you: turbulent, epic, nuanced... This remarkable opening that is "With Honor" has no trouble to bring back emotions that bring you back to the good old days of "Tyranny" or "Carved In Stone". Everything is there, from the admirable choirs to the melodic solos, from the deliciously retro keyboard sounds to the muscular riffs : no doubt, it's pure Shadow Gallery ! And the rest is just as good!

Literally sparkling, the sound of this album highlights compositions, each one as neat as the other, which, as usual, oscillate between progressive metal (the solos of "Venom" or "Strong"), Queen-like vocal parts ("With Honor", "Pain") and some amazing novelties, like this tasty jazz-rock interlude in "Digital Ghost". Impossible also not to mention this very AOR tone which generally always surfaces during the unifying choruses, like the one of "Gold Dust", or during the catchy verses, like the one of "Strong". All these influences are beautifully assimilated, and never depart from the style recognizable among a thousand.

And what about this mysterious Brian Ashland, the new vocalist with the heavy task of replacing Mike Baker? Although evolving in a very close register, he has his own style and has obviously integrated himself marvellously into his new musical family. Also, many guests should be noted: Clay Barton from Suspyre accompanies for example Carl Cadden-James on "Venom" and Vivien Lalu splits a masterful solo on "Gold Dust"! Joe Nevolo, the band's historical drummer, if he still hasn't joined his comrades full time (Wehrkamp is acting drummer with his legendary class), has nevertheless participated as well. Let's also mention Sdrjan Brankovic, met on the Expedition Delta side-project, and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), who bring their respective touches to "Strong".

In a word, here is a completely fabulous album, a return as fantastic as unexpected, with a formal and emotional beauty that won't leave you indifferent. The bonus CD of the special edition offers the last two tracks on which you will have the privilege of hearing Mike Baker's unique voice. Let's bet that Mike Baker will be looking down on his mates up there with a smile on his face. - Official website

SHADOW GALLERY

DIGITAL GHOSTS

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE METAL