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Shadyon: Mind Control

Melodic/Progressive Hard Rock/Metal

3.75/5.0

Inner Wound Recordings
www.myspace.com/shadyon1
www.myspace.com/innerwoundrecordings
Review: Craig Hartranft,  08.09.2010

French band Shadyon's sophomore work Mind Control will take some repeated listens to digest. There are two reasons for this. The first is simply that, upon a first spin, Mind Control could easily be dismissed as standard European power/prog metal. The second is that, while some of the previous statement is true, there is more here than meets the ear. Songs like the title cut and Forgotten Nightmare have all the stuff of power-prog, but they are also infected with a near AOR/melodic rock feel. The songs can turn at one point on heaviness and then turn another time of a tremendous melodic rock vibe. This is quite apparent in both New Dimension, Strange Visions, and Guardian Angels. The latter is a softer number, near ballad, that has no relationship to prog or power metal.

If all this sounds confusing, it's certainly not intended to be. Mind Control simply requires some attentiveness. Another element that can trip you up is Shadyon's use of keyboards. Most times it can sound like standard fare that simply accents the compositions. Then, as on Into the Fire or Strange Visions, the solos become quite compelling. Then you discover, after a second careful listen, that the keyboards are more than just embellishment, but a well-developed element of each song.

While I'm not sure I want to call Shadyon's Mind Control a uniquely exceptional work among its peers, it is quite intriguing, entertaining, and worth your exploration. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

While I'm not sure I want to call Shadyon's Mind Control a uniquely exceptional work among its peers, it is quite intriguing, entertaining, and worth your exploration.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]