Customer Reviews

Room V

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 !

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.

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.

I've been listening to prog for 30 years now, starting with King Crimson, Genesis, ELP and Rush in the 70s, to Dream Theater, Opeth, Ice Age and Fates Warning in the 90s. Shadow Gallery have always been up there among the better bands for me, though I was disappointed with their Tyranny album. With Room V though, they've restored my faith in them with a doozy of an album, a real gem. Collected here my friends, is a bunch of stellar prog tunes that will rock you back on your heels. Like Dream Theater, SG manage to seamlessly blend light and shade, soft and loud and happy and menacing. If you liked Carved in Stone but with a slightly harder edge, this one's for you.

Shadow Gallery has matured its style so much since its debut album. Its compositional and performance abilities have improved despite, or perhaps because of, its lack of live performances. Its distinctiveness, however, remains unchanged. No matter where you live in, no matter where you are, Shadow Gallery can be recognized from miles away. Room V has a great storyline, awesome vocal and instrumental melodies, wonderful harmonies, and sensational guest performances by A.A. Lucassen and Laura Jaeger. The highlight guest performance, however is James LaBrie's intervention on composing one of the songs, maybe the best one of the entire CD, "Torn". His experience in singing gave him the authority to share the vocal melody compositional credit, and his liberty from the Portnoy/Petrucci bondage seasoned the whole album in a way no other artist could've done.
The only "but" in this release is the departure of Chris Ingles as a full-time band member. The lack of sweetness in piano playing and energetic keyboard interpretation is sorely evident. Thankfully, he still collaborated in writing some of the songs.
A great progressive rock CD, not tainted by the excessive heavy-metal influence that has reached bands like Dream Theater and other great prog bands.

What can I say - Shadow Gallery is a band to be reckoned with. Their powerful music and melodious lyrics and harmonies equal the perfect equation for a great album! And that's what you get here - a great album. I've been a loyal Shadow Gallery fan for 10 years now, and I can't get enough! I have all their side projects each member has been involved with (and not just because I know each member personally) - They truly are up on top the pedastal of Progressive Rock and they will remain there as a testament to their legacy of great music! Kepp on rockin' guys!!

This band was putting excessive weight on their sholders with this album.The first part of this concept, Tyranny, is one of the best albums in Progressive Metal History.Amazing songs, amazing performances of all the musicians and singers involved and inmaculate production, produced a real gem for the minority who know Shadow Gallery and aprecciate polished music.
This continuation of the story line is every bit as emotional and glorious as Tyranny was in it's moment.The slow songs are not boring like other songs of similar tempo made by other bands - it's a fact that all whom know Shadow Gallery can agree: slow songs in Shadow are done in a heartfelt fashion, constantly giving a memorable melodic vocal line sung always with passion by Mike Baker and with strong and touching instrumental bravado done in a subtle way.For more in-your-face explanation, is like a perfected version of Pink Floyd's ballads.While i'm at this point, i should point out the shining highlight that is Vow and the awesome (colaboration in the music department by James Labrie)Torn.
When the songs are more energetic is always within the confines of Shadow Gallery trademark: fierce material with impeccable musicality and sense of dynamics always inmersed in layers of melodic poignancy.The Andromeda Strain and Room V are examples of this.Rain is also a majestic finale for this record.
The production is the best of all Shadow Gallery releases.And i think THAT is saying a lot.Is also great that this band have not done a bad album yet.
Highly Recommended!

I must say that Shadow Gallery's 'Tyranny' is a corner stone in my progressive rock collection, so when I heard about the sequel 'Room V' I was stoked. When I first got this disc I felt it may fall short of the 'Tyranny' legacy. A couple of songs stood out but it did not blow me away like 'Tyranny' originally did.

After my 3rd or 4th listen, something happened...

My stomach got jittery and I got goose bumps all over. I started to click with this album and was left breathless. The first song I got into was 'The Archer of Ben Salem' holy monkey, I was blown away. If you know the story of these concept albums this song kicks your butt. Just read the lyrics and listen, Wow. IMO, 'The Archer of Ben Salem' is to 'Room V' what 'New World Order' is to 'Tyranny.' By far Shadow gallery's best song IMO since 'New World Order.'

I'm not going to get lengthy here so just know that every song on this album is great, with about 9 of those I consider to be epic - Torn (I cannot get over the emotion in this song), Vow, The Andromeda Strain, Seven Years, Room V, Comfort Me, Encrypted, Rain

There is not a weak song on the album.

New to prog rock? Buy 'Tyranny' and 'Room V' and your plate will be full for quite some time.

Room V was an excellent cd to add to my already on going Shadow Gallery collection. The work here has shown a wonderful growth of its artists. For those who have never listened to Shadow Gallery before this would be a wonderful start.

Before I get started, I¡¦d like to mention that a new Shadow gallery album is on the way, and its called 'Digital Ghosts' on Nov. 3rd in the states and Oct. 23rd everywhere else.

I had to revisit this album after I heard a new album was coming out with a new singer. I didn¡'t like the album the first couple listens, but it slowly grew on me. And today I can say that it is my favorite Shadow Gallery Album. Continuing the story of Tyranny, and the legacy of the album, must have been incredibly tough. But as always, these virtuosos just get better and better as time goes on. Gary Wehrkamp has become one of my favorite keyboardists of all time. Up there with Kevin Moore, Jordan Rudess, and Jens Johanssen. Brendt is a master of the guitar, this guy is blazing fast. The songwriting by all the members involved is spectacular. Avoiding corniness where it would seem almost impossible to in the story. Lets do a song by song review here:

Manhunt: A two minute epic passage way into the next song. Continuing off Tyranny¡¦s Christmas day song. You can hear hints of the melody in there. Fast paced, and a great way to start an album.

Comfort Me: probably my favorite song on the album. The two from Tyranny meet and fall in love in this song. The duet with Laura is astounding. Mike baker¡¦s (R.I.P.) moves the listener with his special warm vocal delivery of the song. The song is slower based with awesome guitar solos and flutes º An instant likable track!

The Andromeda Strain: This song is fast, heavily layered vocals and some excellent guitar parts and keyboard solos. This song will stick in your head and I promise it¡¦ll be so good that it is. The instrumental in the middle, with the awesome baseline, is one of the coolest free play modes. This is pure shadow Gallery right here. Instrumentals exceeding the speed of light while being extremely melodic.

Vow: Talk about the absolutely perfect love song. I played this for my gf and she cried. Baker will make you cry¡Kwell maybe¡Kbut he will grab your heart and make you want to grab your loved one and sing this song to them. The vocal layers here are expertly done, most memorable solo done on this album in this writer¡¦s opinion.

Birth Of A daughter: The music speak the words here, an instrumental track that carry you to next scene at blinding speeds, awesome guitar work, and leading up to another track that is a lot sadder.

Death Of A mother: Music speaks here¡Kyou can feel the tension growing in the story here, more insane soloing and a keyboard at 1:00 minute that is so awesome that I¡¦ve been trying to get my good friend whos amazing at the keyboard play¡Khe says it¡¦s too hard though haha

Lamentia: This track is only a minute long¡Kbut it will pull your heart strings. The keyboards and mike baker¡¦s voice deliver an epic emotion of loss in this song. Something that once you hear you¡¦ll never forget. Makes me think of Mike baker¡Ksweet song.

Seven years: Another amazing instrumental track. The music taking you to the next scene

Dark: A leadup to Torn. Main character¡¦s daughter stolen

Torn: At 8 minutes this song is one piece of art. I love this song. A bit more midpaced, this song is chocked full of chill inducing lyrics. Guitar solos that will knock you to the floor. My second favorite song on the album

The Archer of Ben Salem: Carl Cadden does some vocals on this track with baker with a special solo by Arjen of Ayreon. The main character is on a mission to find out why his daughter was stolen from him, heaviest track on the album. Instrumentals are my favorite parts of the song next to Baker¡¦s voice in the beginning of the song.

Encrypted: Another amazing track. The chorus stands out a lot on this song. A lot of intense bluesy soloing here. The ending sticks in your head, some very strange echoeing experimenting done in here. Very cool

Room V: Another fast paced song, plenty of classic shadow gallery here. A lot of the plot is unveiled here. Don¡¦t skip over this song.

Rain: WOW!!!!! Words can not describe this song. Go listen to it.

Overall all, this album was amazing. The new Album I have very high hopes for. It¡¦ll be hard topping this masterpieces but haha that¡¦s what they do, they top everything they do as the progress.