Room V

Shadow Gallery | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0009A6N6Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,669 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Shadow Gallery’s self-titled debut album was already a good indication of things to come for this American band as they turned out to be one of the leading groups at the forefront of the new progressive symphonic metal movement. Well crafted compositions go hand in hand with melodic and energetic rhythms and, to some extent, even bombastic keyboards and heavy guitar riffs. All this is highlighted by the voice of Mike Baker, who made a name for himself as one of the characters of the very successful Ayreon concept album The Human Equation. With their fifth album, Room V, (the follow up to their highly acclaimed concept album Tyranny) Shadow Gallery prove again that they are indeed worthy of their attained position. Rest assured, this album will convince critics and fans alike!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest Unrecognized Bands !, June 17, 2005

By 

Marc Moingeon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Room V (Audio CD)

This is the sequel to the intriguing story started in "Tyranny" but already started before in the mind of the band's lyricist and excellent bassist/backing singer/flautist Carl Cadden-James (some elements of the story could be found already in "Carved in Stone"). But it's by no mean a clone of "Tyranny". Beside similar musical references, this one contains maybe more instrumental parts and more varied atmospheres, a few references to Led Zeppelin's best works (Kashmir, for instance), more references to Pink Floyd and still the usual influences from the best Queen, Kansas, Iron Maiden or Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen, plus classical music. But in the end, it is their own and unique style! Although the band is composed only of virtuosos and excellent singers (Mike Baker being the perfect lead vocalist with the golden voice), the main focus in their music is melody and emotion before the instrumental prowesses - but lovers of great instrumental parts will find many varied and complex ones here!). Shadow Gallery represents the perfect balance between powerful guitar riffs, and symphonic rock with the best vocal works that can be heard today in any style ! Their incredible multi-layered vocal harmonies are matchless in the rock world and this album just proves this again. Incredible guitar and keyboard solos, tasteful piano and multi-layered guitar harmonies, unusual synthesizer textures, etc. They are fantastic arrangers. You can love them for their mellow side or their heavier side (both are equally represented) but one thing is sure : they've got a great sense of melody, harmony and counterpoint in everything they create and they also put their whole *heart* into their music. Beautiful melodies, a great sense of drama, very exciting and very accessible progressive structures throughout those 75+ minutes of music.
Shadow Gallery's albums are long in the making but always done in the best way possible, this fifth one was well worth the wait... The production on this one is their best, never too heavy, just organic, deep, clear, emotional. So those who haven't checked them yet but who love the aforementioned styles and references in music, it's very unlikely that you'll be disappointed.
By the way, this is a limited edition for Europe only, with an extra CD full of unreleased stuff (5 tracks, 38 minutes, including a 24-mn-long Pink Floyd medley that is just unique !) and a video documentary as well ! A must-have !

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow... just wow..., January 22, 2006

By 

Lorenzo Villalba "Loz" (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Room V (Audio CD)

That is how I felt when I first heard this album. I have to admit, this was my first introduction to Carl Cadden-James, Gary Wehrkamp and Shadow Gallery and I can safely say that I was not dissapointed at all. This is a gem of Progressive Rock/Metal and music in general.

There is one way to describe this album, beautiful. Listening to "Comfort Me" for the first time is like nothing you have experienced yet. Sure it is kind of weird when you can actually talk about DNA in a song, but everything just blends together so perfectly.

Buy this album if you are a fan of Prog Rock/Metal. You won't be in the least dissapointed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars had missed this until now-my loss, March 20, 2006

By 

Brent E. Johnson (Naches, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Room V (Audio CD)

Ok, I come in late on another review, but I have to way in. This is a great progressive rock album that strays in to prog metal territory at times. It is creative, inventive and a great listen. They seem to stay away from most prog formulas and just play their brand of music. They will go from hard to soft fast to slow and end somewhere in between. In one song. As most of you know the album is telling a story started on the last album and the music does a good job of conveying the emotion as well as adding to the overall sense of the story.
One reviewer said the lyrics were uninspired. I wonder what album they are listening to. And these are not power rock ballads as another said. (although you are entitled to your wrong opinion. ;) )This is SG's brand of power prog rock. I want to add I was reminded of Alan Parsons at times, and even a couple of the guitar solos reminded me of Gilmours Dark Side work. But mostly they have crafted a solid album that is interesting and a worthy addition to any music library.