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Comprised of six music teachers, Shadow Gallery is probably one of the least known prog-metal bands. Musically born in Pennsylvania, these six musicians are influenced in their composition phase by progressive groups like Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis, heavy-metal music (Iron Maiden), and the psychedelia of Pink Floyd. In their fourth work, "Legacy," various jazz and fusion influences mix with classical and hard rock.
The CD is in fact balanced and effective, and the listener is fully satisfied as there is a "complete" sound. In short, the album truly lacks nothing, except perhaps a bit more power in parts predisposed to a harder sound. But probably that's the beauty of the record. The tracks are structured like "ballads" or in some cases "semi-ballads," with some explosions reminiscent of Symphony X's sound. The members, besides being multi-instrumentalists, sing (all six of them!!) on every track, creating theoretically epic duets and choruses. Technique and imagination are certainly not lacking, but the "gallery of shadows" goes beyond that, creating a sound that is always suggestive and interesting. Mike Baker is the lead singer, supported by Brendt Allman on guitar, Carl Cadden James (bass, fretless and flute), Gary Wehrkamp (piano, guitar, and synthesizer); all three participants in the Mullmuzzler project along with James LaBrie. Completing the lineup are Kevin Soffera on drums and Chris Ingles on piano and synthesizer.
These are the creators of a work that offers for over 70 minutes, an easy, melodious, and fluid listening experience. There are many acoustic and atmospheric pieces that fill the album with situations that closely resemble the pre-romantic period, akin to a fantastic melody, making you mentally travel to unknown and incredibly distant destinations and eras. The various instruments come alive, creating a very evocative harmony that is easy to assimilate. The acoustic and atmospheric guitar pieces, almost always accompanied by the fretless and the piano, are the real highlight of the CD, almost always executing a simple but beautiful symphony. It's reductive to name the most beautiful songs because the pieces are interconnected and flow with great fluidity from beginning to end. I highly recommend listening to it.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
03 Colors (07:02)
Out of the blue
Everything seemed so new
The sun rising lights up my face
Fading from green
No more thoughts to deceive
For seasons of lost hope may change
Ahh - so many different colors
Ahh - The colors are changing
Moments in time
When the words didn't rhyme
Unsure what the future would hold
As days turned to nights
I chased rainbows of light
Finding no gold
No magical fountain of gold
Ahh - So many different colros
Ahh - The colors keep changing
So many different ways to look at things
I turn around I'/m upside down again
If nothing ever changes it's my point of view
That I can't lose
The skies fiery red
I will journey ahead
To show you how far I have flown
New day in my life
Flashing hope by design
I've finally found my way home
Ahh - So many different colors
Ahh - Now my world is slowly changing
So many different ways to look at things
If you've fallen down you gotta get back up again
So many different shades of everything
Now I see with open eyes a brighter world within
The skies forever changing that's the point of view
I just can't lose
This new born wisdom guides me through
Feel the cool winds of heaven
In the blue of your eyes
Dreams of you and I together
A love we cannot deny
Feel the tide of the ocean
On and on 'till I see your light
And the warmth of the sky
On and on
Passion breathes wtih emotion
We will soar
We will soar with wings on high
On high
On high...
So many different ways to look at things
If we've fallen down we gotta get back up again
So many different ways the colors change
Every time I turn around we're hanging on the edge
Our skies forever changing that's the point of view
I give to you
I know that time will see us through
I hope the colors soon find you
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Other reviews
By emanuele
We are facing a true masterpiece.
The ease with which the band conducts the piece, rich in changes of time and melody, is petrifying.
By splinter
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.
'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!'
