Member:
jlneudorf
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by jlneudorf)
Date:
9/18/2009
Format:
CD (Album)
Oceans of Night is the brainchild of Scott Mosher who has previously released three solo albums, the last one being Deep Horizon in 2006. Helping him on that album was vocalist Scott Oliva and he returns on Mosher's latest The Shadowheart Mirror. The music of Oceans of Night has been described as "ambient progressive metal" and this seems reasonable to me. Mosher takes chugging metallic guitar riffs and fiery solos and effectively injects softer instrumental interludes which makes for a dynamic album and one that had me engaged from start to finish. Mosher is a very talented multi-instrumentalist and for this release plays all of the guitar, bass and keyboards. Oliva proves to be a fine metal vocalist with an emotive voice and good range and is able to handle lower and upper registers with ease.
The album is off to a good start with the edgy metal of "A Way From You" with its subtle keyboards, metallic riffs and powerful melody. Some high-pitched screams from Oliva prove he can handle the job. The infectious guitar riff in "Living In The Past" combined with strong vocals, well placed keyboards and a wonderful lead guitar solo from Mosher makes this one of the album's best tunes. The album's heaviest song is the title track with industrial-like guitar riffage, ala Dream Theater, and beautifully flowing keyboards in the softer sections making this one a real treat for progressive metal fans. "The Last Goodbye" has one of the album's nicest melodies and features an ending solo that will have you practicing your air guitar. The rest of the songs are equally enjoyable making this a well-rounded album. Although this album did not come to me immediately, over time the melodies have definitely began to sink in.
Progressive rock and metal fans should find plenty to like with The Shadowheart Mirror. This will make an excellent addition to your music collection, so what are you waiting for?
Rating: 8 (out of ten)
|
|
|
