Artist: Zandelle
Title: Shadows of the Past
Type: Album
Label: Pure Steel Records

US Metal band Zandelle have been at it for over 15 years, and this release is a compilation of older material that has been re-recorded, except for a new track ‘Scream My Name’ and a Whitesnake cover song (‘Bad Boys’). These NYC natives hit the ground running with ‘Ecstasy’, that begins with a classic metal high pitched scream, and of course that US metal of old guitar groove. Not to be content with playing this widely mentioned style, Zandelle also raise their game with such metal monsters as ‘Evil Entity’. Some of this music reminds me of label mates Exxplorer, Iced Earth and for that EU influence, very early Scanner in terms of tempo. Ok, this band do trade ideas with those gone before them, but remember, these are in the majority re-recorded songs from their past, one thing that cannot be scuppered as I listen to this album well into the double figure mark is the level of maturity and strength, both being a consistent factor.

On the flipside, once you calm down from the energetic juggernaut there is an attempt to tear at your heartstrings, and I am talking about the fabled limit of human emotion. Listening to the strong lyric and subsequent melody of tracks like ‘Angel’ is fulfilled further by the ripping guitar solo and overall deft musicianship displayed by many a band, but not many can arrange songs like this I have to say. ‘Bringer of Doom’ restores a more metallic presence, and even reflects some modern Maiden influences, especially the guitar work.

Zandelle maybe a lesser known contingent of the classic US power metal scene, but the material on offer stands testament with time, and proves that these folks are no second rate US metal copycat. When you think that this band has been flying the flag for classic metal through the 1990’s, essentially when no one give a shit about the genre (of course it’s now popular and cool again right? Thank whoever for the younger generation that’s all I say!), I cannot think of a better way to represent their musical achievement’s and future endeavours of this band and genre, with ‘Shadows of the Past’, Zandelle are truly lifting the chalice of real metal glory.

http://http://www.zandelle.net

Paul Maddison

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