Screaming Shadows – ‘Legacy Of Stone’

(From The Vaults)

Oh my god! Where have Screaming Shadows been all my life, I’m absolutely blown away by ‘Legacy Of Stone’ it tickles my fancy something rotten! This is their fifth album but their first since 2011, but even so I’m still shocked these guys have flown under my radar until now given how many aspects to their music appeal to my tastes.

It’s Power Metal with subtle but clear NWOBHM influences, I can definitely hear some Avanatasia / Edguy in the influence mix too but most importantly ‘Legacy Of Stone’ is highly melodic. It’s so melodic I’d be tempted to refer to the album as Melodic Rock with balls, big heavy balls!

It’s hard to pick fault with the album, maybe not as instant as it could be, but that’s been really picky given the high level of song writing and musicianship on display through the albums run time. There is soaring vocals that invigorate you and exciting fast fingered guitar licks that are so tantalisingly melodious it should be illegal! The smoothness of these songs is intense I love it when power metal is this smooth all that power complimented by stunning rich melodies is really gratifying.

I know Francesco Marras for his work with UK NWOBHM band Tygers of Pan Tang and I appreciate what he does with those guys but my respect for the guy’s skills have gone up another level after experiencing what he has done with Screaming Shadows! His highly melodic style really appeals to me and his performance on this album is nothing short of stunning. I bow down to Marras’s guitar work on this album, we are not worthy!

As a whole the album is beyond solid but highlights include ‘Stand in Line’ with its killer chorus and if I had to pick at gunpoint a single, I’d probably opt for the melodic majesty of ‘Heaven Or Hell’.

Although ‘Legacy of Stone’ is melodic it never lacks for heaviness, with the rhythm section pounding away making sure you remember this is POWER metal. Also, the Guitars are always strongly metallic and the faster paced riffs really remind you it’s a metal album. It’s a very commercial album much like Avantasia and Edguy deliver – it never shies away from its core sound but it’s delivered in a way to give it a broader appeal.

I highly recommend all Power Metal fans give ‘Legacy Of Stone’ a spin, it’s awesome!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Heaven Or Hell'

Review by Woody