Described by Lion Music’s (www.lionmusic.com) accompanying press release, this album is “a mix of melodic, progressive and metal like you’ve never heard before…” which is immediately obvious, less progressive and a touch more metal to my ear, but intrinsically woven with a true grasp of melody. The band are built around brothers, Benny and Bjorn (seriously) Jansson and feature the immeasurable talents of Daniel Flores (Mind’s Eye) and Johan Niemann (Mind’s Eye, Therion).  

These collective talents converge to produce a bombastic group of tunes with genuine quality, blending detuned guitar and bass riffs with almost operatic keyboard layers to create an expansive sound. Intertwined with some impressive, neo-classical shredding the album is a balanced display of superb song writing. In a sense, it’s reminiscent of “Odyssey-era” Malmsteen, an album that was more focused toward the overall song structure (thanks I imagine to Joe Lynn Turner) and less about writing a tune around a lightning solo, thankfully, Tears Of Anger have kept the guitar histrionics limited to a sense of “embellishment” rather than focus. 

Bjorn Janssen’s impressive voice is the perfect foil to brother Benny’s guitar, leading the band through the ballsy stomp of “Light My Fuse” and the almost grinding “Close To The Fire” and “How Will I Live”. Each tune deserves its place and is compounded by an enormous production quality forcing the brain to take notice. And it will take notice, another classy example of Swedish power metal and a worthwhile purchase. 

More at www.tearsofanger.com

Let us know your views on 'In The Shadows'

Track List

In The Shadows
Spirit Running Free
Tears In My Eyes
I Hate You
Sell My Soul
Live Those Dreams
Scene Of The Crime
Light Up My Fuse
How Will I Live
Full Of Lies
Close To The Fire
I'm Coming Home

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