CARVED IN STONE

the only reason that Shadow Gallery don't enjoy the top of the prog metal world like , for example, Dream Theater do, is that they respectfully try to remain an underground, non touring band... without being pretentiously bohemians or snob, they focus on releasing only albums of the highest quality every three years.. without even caring what damage might that do to their career (if such word as 'career' exists in their dictionary), their only pursue is progression... from their first self-titled LP up to Room V they manage to maintain all the characteristics of their personal sound but also are not afraid to follow the behests of time (the Toolish influence is more than obvious in Room V)...

quite early, in 1995, Carved In Stone sets the standards of reborn prog metal of the 90's even higher... six very talented musicians manage to incarnate their 70's prog and 80's metal influences into six varied songs and a stunning epic...

Cliffhanger: the opening track is exactly as it should be: power/prog dynamite with stunning solos and passionate vocals...

Crystalline Dream: beautiful song, elavating mood but one quibble: listen to the break right before the chorus then listen to the same break before the chorus of 'The Guardian' by Fates Warning in 'Awaken The Guardian and then listen to the same break before the last chorus of 'Infinite Dreams' by Iron Maiden in Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son'... Three generations of prog metal meet..

Don't Ever Cry, Just Remember: beautiful ballad, AOR, with great flute solo..

Warcry: my favourite track...starts with fine piano work to evolve to one of the most integral compositions

Celtic Princess: a two minute instrumental break.. nice...

Deeper Than Life: speed/power/prog at its best...

Ghostship:along with 'A Change of Seasons' by DT, it redefined the term 'epic' for the 90's... the best way to close a monumental album...

in conclusion, those of you that already have it, you will continue to enjoy it, the rest of you... FIND IT!!!

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