Crimson Skies + 1 BONUS TRACK
Product Description****EPIC MELODIC POWER METAL**** Swedish melodic metal band CLOUDSCAPE released their self-titled debut album in early 2005. The response from press, fans and reviewers all over the globe turned out incredible!. . . More >>
Wow, there are a lot of people who’ve enjoyed this album to my surprise. They have talent, I will admitt. But aside from the first song there’s not much that sticks out for me here. Actually, what truly bugs me is the vocals (for the most part). He often sings like a little girl. And I’m down for female fronted metal, don’t get me wrong. But when a metal vocalist sounds like a pussy, it’s time to move on. The thing that pisses me off the most is that he DOES have talent but doesn’t use it (often)! Rarely will he change it up and then you’d be like “whoah, that’s tight. ”
I am a fan of Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Dream Theater, Primal Fear, Edguy, and other power/progressive metal bands that have beautiful clean vocals, but this album just gays it up.
The instrumental is pretty alright, though. Nothing super special but not bad. Like I said, they do have talent, but I just can’t get over the frilly vocals, they’re so. . . Disney.
Rating: 2 / 5
Lance King must spend half his time looking for little known power metal bands that need more exposure. This band is a good find. I agree with another review that a few more symphonic moments would have really boosted the sound though. I’m not sure I’d call this progressive metal as much as some have made it sound. It has a few progressive moments but is mostly in the traditional metal realm with a lot of melody. If you need another quality, mostly straight ahead power metal album this is worth your money. Good guitar-needs a few more solos, good vocalist, the songs are a little dark but not too hopeless. A solid 4 star album. Way to go Lance.
Rating: 4 / 5
Nightmare Records has cranked out yet another solid release from a progressive metal, new talent. I’ll start my short review off by listing the pros, then I’ll end it with some cons.
Pros – great production from Nightmare Records; a very talented lead vocalist backed by a solid band; 13 total tracks of music; great artwork; lyrics aren’t dark & gloomy like so many other bands from this genre are putting out lately; the music itself is uplifing with a punch; and great usage of the keyboards, but the keyboard usage isn’t overkilled.
Cons – my main complaint is that I’d like for the choruses to be more epic sounding and a little more catchy; integrate some symphonic sounds the next time around possibly;
Otherwise, this is one of the more solid efforts I’ve listened to in 2006 so far. If you like music from the following bands: Threshold, Artension, Magnitude 9, and Symphony X, then I’d recommend Cloudscape to you in an instant!
Rating: 4 / 5
This album is a little heavier than the first one. It is a good album overall, and their is good song writing, but I still like than first album better. I will be awaiting the release of their 3rd album.
Rating: 4 / 5
The second album from Cloudscape features outstanding guitar and keyboard work, and great vocals from Mike Andersson. Some of the standout tracks are “Shapeshifter,” “Hope,” and “Demon Tears. ” Recommended!
Rating: 5 / 5