It’s been a few weeks since my deep dive into Helloween’s back catalog and then the killer album from MadHatter showed up, and now I’m going deeper into the Power Metal void with Shadows of Steel and their searing fourth full-length Twilight II.

This is a ass-kicker, fast when it needs to be and harmonious till the bitter end. I’m guessing that this was recorded in a castle with dragons fighting overhead, it’s aggressive from the get-go with “Call of Shadows” an ode to everything fantastical and mythic, with galloping drums and stellar solos rip through the eardrums with savage power.

This attack continues with “Broken Mirror” another thrasher that’s built around these mind-melting riffs and pummeling drums. They get all hopeful and uplifting on “Shine” and once again I’m struck by this musical juxtaposition of Brutal Death Metal and Power Metal. This is a very PG album, which doesn’t take away from what Shadows of Steel have created.

I’d like to take a small minute and talk about the artwork… um, it’s not good. Which reaches into the larger issue of AI and the apparent threat it poses to ‘real’ artists. That’s neither here nor there, but my point is that it’s easy to have good album art; everyone knows someone who can draw, or get a subscription to an AI app and do it that way. I’m sorry, guys. It’s not fitting the music contained on the album and that’s my only gripe.

After “Shine” is the current single “Power of Dreams” and it’s another full throttle riff-fest, it’s a nice centerpiece until yawner “Crystal” it’s obvious filler (hopefully) like “A Tale that Wasn’t Right” from Helloween’s Keeper of the Seven Keys part 1. It harshes the buzz, if you will.

Not all is lost as “Search for the Truth” comes in on slight keys before erupting into a Power Metal savior with silver wings. “Symphony” is the longest track at 7:08 but Shadows of Steel put everything into this one song;  maniacal riffs and shredding solos assault the eardrums, combined with the drums, it really does make for a mammoth sized, and what should have been the final track… but it’s not.

Instead of the end of the album, they decided to tack on five cover songs. I didn’t listen to them, well not all the way through, I skimmed them. Here they are in case you want to know:

“Angel Witch” (Angel Witch cover)  03:52

9. “The Beauty and The Beast” (Stormwitch cover) 04:08
10. “Dark Nights” (Heavy Load cover) 03:56
11. “Shadow Thief” (Jag Panzer cover) 05:35
12. “Heavy Demons” (Death SS cover) 04:06

It is what it is. As far as the original music goes, Shadows of Steel have definite chops going on with Twilight II. Suitable for all your Power Metal head banging needs.

If you like Symphony X, Dragonforce, and Helloween (Gamma Ray too, just for shits and giggles) also the bands that were covered to boot. Then this release is right up your tree. Get it!

[Visit the band's website]

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