The Irish guitar 'Stevie McLaughin' who officiates in the group 'Sandstone' (see the album 'Tides Of Opinion' which dates from 2006 and which has just been remastered here) and 'IronHeart' released a first solo studio album, that is to say that he not only ensures the guitar and singing but also plays all the instruments and is the author/composer, mixed the album and even imagined the cover. 'Between Life & Death' sets the scene in a melodic hard-rock style with an energetic rhythm that makes you stomp your feet and a great demonstration on guitar and vocals. Strangely placed in 2nd position, 'Shadows Alone' is a beautiful power ballad that shows a completely different face of this complete artist in a quieter register and with 'Apocrypha' of nearly 8 minutes, Stevie takes us in a progressive mood cut into several parts. The following is varied and alternates melodic metal as the catchy 'Immortal Rose' and progressive metal as 'Prophetic Skies' and the 2nd ballad 'Depletion' allows a break before the last 2 titles including 'Memories of Eden' more than 10 minutes closing the album in a very beautiful way (this title is not available on Spotify for now). In summary, this first solo album of 'Stevie McLaughin' confirms all his talents as a guitarist but also, what we knew a little less, those of complete artist because this 'Toy Empires' is an excellent album that should appeal to all those who navigate between hard-rock and progressive metal... | |
