'All My Shadows' is a new project that was created by two members of 'Vanden Plas' and who brought with them Stephan's brother, the drummer 'Andreas Lill' who also officiates at 'Venden Plas' but also artists from their entourage with keyboardist 'Markus Teske' and bassist 'Franky R.' who both revolve around the German combo. Given the pedigree of each, we suspect that the result is likely to be closer to their basic training. After a first listening to this first album 'Eerie Monsters', it finally emerges an accentuated melodic side and, on the contrary, a less present progressive aspect, the whole being a mixture of hard rock and melodic rock.
Initially, with 'Silent Waters' (see the video above), we are greeted by a catchy and rhythmic composition with a melody that easily fits into your head, then, 'A Boy Without a Name' continues on this path with a new hit that reminds me of the energy deployed by 'Threshold'. With 'Syrens', the more moderate rhythm brings a nice variety and, even if the power of the guitars is also present, shows a melodic face bringing us back to the 80s with formations like 'The Alan Parsons Project', then, 'Liveforms' continues in a mid-tempo with a very catchy chorus. More progressive in approach (and also longer), 'Wolverinized' travels through rhythmic and intensity changes with a nice break in the second part of the title, then, 'The Phantoms Of The Dawn' (see video here) takes us on a catchy rhythm with flamboyant choirs and a simple but super effective little guitar solo. The break ballad 'Farewell' is magnificent and can make you think of the best ballads of 'Serenity', the finale with moving choruses eyeing 'Queen', then, 'Devil's Ride' picks up strength for a well-tempered and super effective hard rock rush, the album ending with 'All My Eerie Monsters' which sums up this album well with an admirable vocal performance by Andy Kuntz', radiant choirs, a very beautiful guitar solo and an addictive final chorus, the whole bringing pleasant changes of tempos.
In summary, between melodic and progressive, this new project 'All My Shadows' shows a very attractive face and offers us a first quality album which is accessible from the first listen. 'Eerie Monsters', beyond the fans of 'Vanden Plas' who should undoubtedly adopt this new project, is to be recommended to all lovers of rock and melodic hard rock that we appropriate on first listen... | |
