Shaaman

Reason
AFM Records

7/10, Standard Prog-Power fare

10 tracks, 42:00, Prog-Power

There are few qualities about Shaaman (their new name, changed from Shaman) that put them above the bar for this type of Metal. Perhaps the only thing is the quality production and symphonics that producer Sascha Paeth brought to the table. As musicians, the band are nothing amazing. Good, but average. The song writing could be a little better, with more hooks that really dig in, but for what it is it's not bad. Track highlights are "In The Night", "Iron Soul", "Innocence", and their cover of Sisters Of Mercy's "More". For promotional reasons, the copy I received was all edited together, with the tracks cross fading into each other where I don't think they normally do. Only two songs, "Turn Away", and "Innocence" were left intact (before the real album even begins) so radio stations and clubs could access them without the annoying fades. Thus, I am left with an incomplete album to review. However, since only 20-30 seconds of music was lost on each track, it doesn't change anything about the band's sound or lack of invention when it comes to the hooks. I can't fault them much further than that, because their intentions are clearly good, so I will leave it there. It's heavy, driving, emotional at times, but overall it's nothing you haven't hear before.


Stu Patterson