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October 2020

• The Flower Kings: Islands
• Imperium (Mika Brushane): Heaven Or Hell
• Old Mother Hell: Lord Of Demise
• Jakko M Jakszyk: Secrets & Lies
• Force Of Mortality: New Dark World

• Black Fate: Ithaca
• Astrakhan: Astrakhan's Superstar Experience
• Signal Red: Alien Nation
• Nightstryke: Storm Of Steel
• Stardust: Highway To Heartbreak

• Sinner's Blood: The Mirror Star
• Pride Of Lions: Lion Heart
• DGM: Tragic Separation
• Blue Oyster Cult: The Symbol Remains
• Fortress Under Siege: Atlantis

September 2020

• Torch: Reignited
• The Waymaker: The Waymaker
• Elmsfire: Wings Of Reckoning
• Blazon Rite: Dulce Bellum Inexpertis
• Brother Firetribe: Feel The Burn

• On Vacation Week of 13.09.2020

• On Vacation Week of 06.09.2020

• Winter's Verge: The Ballad Of James Tig
• The Progressive Souls Collective: Sonic Birth
• Night: High Tides Distant Skies
• Neal Morse: Sola Gratia
• Simon Collins: Becoming Human

August 2020

• Rikard Sjoblom's Gungfly: Alone Together
• Rising Steel: Fight Them All
• Perfect Plan: Time For A Miracle
• Landfall: The Turning Point
• Hell In The Club: Hell Of Fame

[ More Music Reviews ]

Shining Black: Shining Black

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 10.07.2020 | Released: 10.07.2020

The roots of new band, Shining Black, go back to 2014 when Italian metal band Labyrinth needed a new vocalist, after Roberto Tiranti left the ensemble. The band chose veteran vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt). His tenure lasted 3 years, but he and Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorson (also, Vision Divine) remained friends and kept in touch. Thanks to the prompting of the music gurus at Frontiers Music, the duo finally gathered to form Shining Black.

Mark Boals and Olaf Thorson

It goes without saying that both of these artists are exceptional at their craft. But Shining Black isn't a clone of Labyrinth, Ring Of Fire, or Royal. No, their sound traverses the genre of melodic heavy metal, with bits of power metal, and definitely infused with hard rock groove. Obviously, in the song composition emphasis is placed upon the principal players' strong points: Boals' voice and vocal arrangements and Thorson's rhythmic riffs and soaring solos. But there's also some power and groove from the rhythm section and a nice synth layer for accent and embellishment. The result is some solid and entertaining melodic heavy metal rock.

You'll find this quickly with The House Of The Fallen Souls, but also with the big beat and heavy Shining Black, the fast grooving Carousel, and the rather catchy melodic metal of Just Another Day. Alternatively, a song like Where Are Your Gods turns more upon melodic power metal with its quick pacing. Shining Black also offers a fine metal anthem with The Day We Said Goodbye, featuring acoustic guitar, strong guitar lines and, after the three minute mark and a ripping guitar solo, a fine piano segue. Wrapping up, the duo of vocalist Mark Boals and guitarist Olaf Thorson is a strong musical combination, and Shining Black delivers exceptional melodic metal rock. Get it, easily recommended.

The duo of vocalist Mark Boals and guitarist Olaf Thorson is a strong musical combination, and Shining Black delivers exceptional melodic metal rock. Get it, easily recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Almost a year ago Roine Stolt and The Flower Kings released their thirteenth album Waiting For Miracles, the first in six years. Of course, in support of the album, the band expected to hit the road for shows and ... [ Read More ]

The last we heard from vocalist and songwriter Mick Devine was the second coming of cult UK AOR melodic rock band, Seven and 2016's Shattered, a phenomenal album. Now at the behest and encouragement ... [ Read More ]