Shaman - Immortal review
| Band: | Shaman |
| Album: | Immortal |
| Style: | Progressive power metal |
| Release date: | November 2007 |
01. Renovatti
02. Inside Chains
03. Tribal By Blood
04. Immortal
05. One Life
06. In The Dark
07. Strength
08. Freedom
09. Never Yield
10. The Yellow Brick Road
Ricardo Confessori cleaned up the house in 2006, remaining the only active member of Shaman due to "musical differences" with former band mates André Matos, Hugo & Luis Mariutti and Fabio Ribeiro. After posting two studio releases since their previous split from Angra, could the Brazilian scene handle another split? Well, 2007 brought us the answer with a new lineup and a new fantastic album, Immortal.
With Léo Mancini filling in on guitars, Fernando Quesada on bass and Thiago Bianchi on vocals, the band struck gold to recreate the golden years of Brazilian Metal. Obviously oriented more progressive than ever due to Ricardo's drumming, this Immortal brings furious heavy tunes and power ballads back to life.
Sure, the vocal style is very similar to André Matos but why complain? After all, that is what we would expect as Angra did the exact same thing when André left the band and replaced him by Edu Falaschi. The accentuated progressive edge of the songs renders this album the best thing coming out of the diverse projects created from the ashes of the original Angra lineup since 1996's Holy Land. With enraged guitar work and epic compositions, this new Shaman has seduced my musical senses like never before. Songs like 'Strength' and 'Freedom' embody the essence of the new Shaman, fast, catchy and technical.
It remains Power Metal by all aspect as it is clear on the opener 'Inside Chains', and a handful of songs might be perceived as too cheesy. However, I strongly believe that this album is the start of something bigger. The band is younger and the new musicians all have something new to offer.
If you liked the previous Shaman albums, I strongly encourage you to check out André Matos solo project instead. On the other hand, if the thought of hearing great prog power appeals to you Immortal is definitely for you. You are standing in front of one of 2007's best progressive metal albums, and surely one of the surprises of the year. Now, we know what musical differences arose between Confessori and his former band mates.
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Written on 08.03.2008 by
Bringing you reviews of quality music and interesting questions such as: "A picture is worth a thousand words. How many words is a song worth?" I have only got so much patience and skills, you do the math. |
Comments
Comments: 13
Visited by: 190 users
| Evil Chip Posts: 505 From: Chile  |
Great album, it sounds a lot like Holy Land and Ritual the best albums of Shaman and Angra in my opinion, but it still lacks of the surprise element. Andre Matos will always be a eternal shadow of the bands he left.
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| wrathchild Posts: 14090 From: France  |
I don't really know what to say of this album. I was very impressed when they released One Life on their website, as a demo version, but apart from that song I guess I still need time to fully appreciate the record. But yeah, André Matos' new album is probably a better choice for me, it's growing on me actually.
---- La belleza no reside en lo que puedas crear, sino en lo que eres capaz de transmitir Beauty resides not in what you're able to create, but in what you're able to communicate Txus, Mägo De Oz
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| Spyroid Rosetta Stoned Posts: 1023 From: Sweden  |
I listened to the demo versions like 6 months ago, I remember that I liked them but I don't know what I would think today. But Shaman remain one of the best power metal bands there is, so I guess I should hear it. It's just that... replacing Matos and Hugo Mariutti should be almost impossible. I'll see.
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| GT Coffee!! Posts: 5101 From: Denmark  |
Hmm sounds like I have to give this album a listen. Have only heard One Life and didn't find it anything special but still quite nice
----  Dreams are made so we don't get bored when we sleep
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| b0000mst1ck Posts: 547 From: USA  |
i downloaded this album last night to give it a try. to be honest, i listened to the first three tracks and turned it off. i didn't hear anything ground-breaking or innovative (although the opening track was really good), but i know i have to listen to the entire album before forgetting about it altogether. the most disappointing factor was the vocalist. there's no special aspect to his voice, or his range. maybe my opinion will change in the next week because i plan on listening to the entire album a few times. but ATM i'm not in any hurry to get on that. 
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| BlankFile Posts: 686 From: Portugal |
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| Uirapuru Liver Failure Posts: 2955 From: Brazil  |
i've waited too much to buy this album.. have to get it very soon, im crazy to listen.
----  ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
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| juanopereira Posts: 268 From: Chile  |
Absolutely agree! Iwould give it a 9. I think this is an excellent album and like you said, this is the beginning for something bigger. For me, it's their best one. Matos it's an excellent musician but his voice it's too melodic and sweet for me. I prefer something more aggresive like this new Shaman.
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| BlankFile Posts: 686 From: Portugal |
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| Uirapuru Liver Failure Posts: 2955 From: Brazil |
Found it worse than the other works. I was surprise when they released, but now I get a little dissappointed. It is decent, its Shaman after all. But in comparison with Reason and Ritual this one is mediocre. Don't know if its just me, but the production also seemed a little poor.  Got to find another cd.
---- ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
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