(Melodic Heavy/Power Metal) Shadows Past - Perfect Chapter - 2013, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

SHADOWS PAST was formed in the second part of the 2000’s by the ex-INSANIA's singer Ola Halén, it occurs when he teamed up with the brothers Berg and the hyper talented keyboardist Staffan Lindroth to fulfill his musical dream vision. Several demos were recorded in the project’s early years with the last one released in 2009, already containing the preferred songs “Perfect Chapter”, “Cry No More”, and “Who am I”, which have been re-made and up-dated again for this first full length album.

I still recall my prime ear meeting with the quite good, should I even say exceptional vocalist, Ola Halén with his former act, on the enjoyable CDs such as 2003’s “Fantasy In New Dimension” and mostly the mighty “Agony-Gift Of Life” in 2005 published by the Power Metal group INSANIA, I was blown away back then. Today his abilities are still keen not tarnished a bit and even improved with some more ammo to his arsenal as harsher screams and a few deep growling vocals to complete the awesome display of his capacities with an impressive Metallic range that fit within the genre very well. If I had to find a voice comparison, it will be something like Andre Matos (ex-ANGRA / ex-SYMFONIA / ex-AVANTASIA / ex-SHAMAN) meets ex-YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN / LOUDNESS screamer Mike Vescera (ANIMETAL USA / OBESSION / ex-REIGN OF TERROR)…Flattering isn’t it? But true.

The guitar shredding work by Jonatan Berg is very impressive throughout the release, with a perpetual barrage of fat chords progression, some almost Thrashy rhythms as a solid foundation, like a concrete ground specially built for him to provide some skillful licks and a bunch of incredible flawless and virtuosic Neo-Classical guitar solos.

But the real strengths of “Perfect Chapter” beside the High-pitched vocals of Mr. Halén and the intelligent songwriting , is a monumental and reliable keyboardist master Steffan Lindroth, who is playing under the best and the most passionate Jens Johansson (RISING FORCE / DIO / JOHANSSON BROS / STRATOVARIUS) influenced style, with a superb abundance of jaw-dropping synth solos spot throughout the album. Definitely the most impressive, realistic and convincing performance that I heard since Richard Andersson’s SPACE ODYSSEY album in 2006, as such as background layers (“Perfect Chapter”) or discreet ambiance (“Impressed”) and obviously the lead-solo spots are always perfectly assembled indeed every keyboards parts are an ear candy, utterly catching, explosive and tasteful in one word: Stunning.

The Phenomenal “Perfect Chapter” album opens up at full speed and loud blast, with a straight force atmosphere and the blind diving into "Wherever I Go", which is a passionate tune with a dynamic performance merged homogenously with an orchestral backdrop: Melodic Metal in the true sense of the word but they even avoid brilliantly the pitfall of kitsch cheesy Happy Metal, varied and ultra-challenging with a positive message…Christian Gospel?

SHADOWS PAST are holding the perfect panoply of the spirited Scandinavian Power Metal merchants, numerous double kick onslaughts, plenty of sharp axe riffage, operatic lyrical vocal lines doubled by a larger than life choirs and Baroque bombastic arrangements, but they also hold a palpable identity by adding some more extremes components like a few odd rhythms, contemporary still surprising harmonic structures or tortuous arrangements in the equation. As a matter of example “The Scars Run Deep” is another entertaining ultra-technical Powerful performance with some graceful moments, a fistful of darkest original texture can be found here and in the remaining tracks as well as many lightning-fast cuts, with six strings and keyboard duels (“Ladder Of Life” / “Perfect Chapter”) from the true RISING FORCE Fashion book, some more complex passages or softer factor leads into Progressive Metal nuances, which adds spicing elements and some sort of intrigue.

At first glance I thought this CD to be ROYAL HUNT / MAJESTIC / LAST TRIBE or NARNIA related but it’s somber than I originally believed , in fact it sounds more like EVIL MASQUERADE / DIVINEFIRE / TIME REQUIEM meets early EVERGREY / NOCTURNAL RITES (“Cry No More”). "An Old Enemy" is one of the highlights on “Perfect Chapter”, it's very addictive, with a slower groove as they cut back that pace down for another successful cut and a nice SYMPHONY X vibe.

The running order is efficiently done and after a staccato riffing intro, “Who Am I” provides a catchy chorus hooks that's sounds pretty much in the Swedish melodic Speed Heavy Metal's trend (?) like REINXEED / SINBREED or GOLDEN RESURRECTION, another winner track is "The One" featuring a never seen before unity like a more vibrant and organic band cohesion and a beautiful legato guitar fills that leads surprisingly to an extravagant concerto theme. The album closes with the ballad “Believe”, which seems the best Symphonic Angelic conclusion in a very interesting and Spiritual way.

It seems like the whole Swedish scene is involved as the mixing and the mastering is handled by none other than multi-talented Erik Mårtensson (ECLIPSE / WET) and because Christian Rivel aka Liljegren (ex-NARNIA / ex-WISDOM CALL / DIVINEFIRE / GOLDEN RESURRECTION) signed the band to his new prolific label: The Doolittle Group.

Overall, this is a very finely crafted, epic sounding and harmonically enhanced debut. To me, this is one of those albums that deserve to be promoted because the musicians have the guts to try something fresh and they uplifted the Swedish steel mood without betraying anything, with a new balanced alloy in a Metal world that's sometimes too standardized. I also want to salute the courage of a relatively young training, coming out of the beaten path and that develop such an original approach that promptly ignited my interest, my curiosity and now: my prospects.

As I already stated, “Perfect Chapter” is an impressive recording, with a massive tracklist, a stellar musicianship which is very solid and an excellent vocalist, I believe that you already know that I'm strongly recommend you the purchase of the silver platter.

I’m leaving you with astronomical perspectives & huge expectations…Next chapter, please…Quick.

Review written by YngwieViking for www.metal-temple.com

Ola Halen - Vocals
Patrik Berg - Bass
Olle Lindroth - Drums
Jonatan Berg - Guitars
Staffan Lindroth - Keyboards