Band:	Garden Of Shadows
Album:	Oracle Moon
Style:	Melodic death metal
Release date:	August 2000

01. Oracle Moon
02. Citadel Of Dreams
03. Into Infinity
04. Dissolution Of The Forms
05. Continuum
06. Desert Shadows
07. Twilight Odyssey

Garden of Shadows' "Oracle Moon" is an exceptional album, with it's own unique style that hooks the listener in a flash. They mix different elements of melodic death metal and progressive metal to create an epic atmosphere full of mystical, yet brutal sounds. This album can only be described as epic, with six of the seven songs over eight minutes in length. Inside these eight minutes however, is a whole new world of brilliance. From crunching riffs and catchy melodies to brutal power; Oracle Moon just has it all.

The music is brutally heavy, yet majestically beautiful at the same time, with a vast number of intricate and inter-weaving lead guitar melodies and harmonies using both melodic structure and amazing technicality. Keyboards are also present, and, while adding to the peaceful side of the album, they do not overpower the ever-present guitars. The long passages of guitar harmonies, generally mid to slow paced, unlike the usual speed of melodic death metal create a most enjoyable listen.

The vocals featured on this album are deep and guttural, and compared to most of the shrieking type vocals of normal melodeath, are often thought to be strange and not suited to the music on the first listen. However, after a few listens the two elements; music and vocals; seem to become a great combination of brutality and peace. On Oracle Moon, Garden of Shadows display magnificent musicianship and songwriting skills. Each song is put together perfectly, with the layers of sound connecting and combining to create the sound that is Oracle Moon.

Overall, Oracle Moon is a brilliant release, and I recommend it to all Opeth fans, and other progressive death metal fans, who are in for a display of melodic brutality. This epic album is a one-of-a-kind, and is a must in any good metal collection.

Highlights: Citadel of Dreams, Dissolution of The Forms, and Oracle Moon.