Shadow Gallery
Legacy

THE REVIEW

Browsing through various reviews on DeBaser, I didn't miss the chance to check out the reviews of Shadow Gallery, and I noticed that this "Legacy" is a bit underrated... The comments I've read describe this fourth work of the band as the least brilliant.

But I don't quite agree, on the contrary, I personally consider "Legacy" their best work as it is the album where all the characteristics of the SG brand find space equally: technique, virtuosity, melodies, atmospheres... none prevails over the others, all these elements are present in rather homogeneous quantities; the others are still masterpieces, but this one has an extra gear!

Just listen to the 13-minute opener "Cliffhanger 2" which, after 6 fairly immediate minutes, offers a 7-minute instrumental section where guitars and keyboards really combine all sorts of colors! Not even in the entire production of Dream Theater is it possible to find such a long and complex instrumental part... how can you not bow to such an instrumental section! Virtuosity is considered by many as a way to hide the lack of ideas and inspiration, but I consider it an approach with which musicians can truly unleash their creativity and technical skills! Track no. 2 "Destination Unknown" begins slowly with a delicate piano and a very well-crafted melody, then the rhythm grows, and you encounter another pleasant instrumental part. "Colors", on the other hand, sets aside metal sounds and various virtuosity to give ample space to melody, offering a dreamy and cheerful piece. The sound becomes heavier in the next two tracks, "Society Of Mind" and the title track "Legacy", where we find powerful riffs and also good instrumental parts. And it closes with the suite "First Light", where beautiful atmospheres give way to other instrumental refinements! In its total 34 minutes, there is also a ghost track... after the 23rd minute, you'll hear silence, then a guy knocking on the door introduces a beautifully executed orchestral part on the keyboards.

So... why should this work be considered inferior to the others? I really don't find any reason! But I've learned not to pay attention to what people say... and to simply appreciate what pleases my mind! Only this way can it be defined as "free"!