### Burning Shadows: Gather, darkness!

#### 24/05/12 || Curt

Burning Shadows are a power metal band from Washington DC and “Gather, Darkness!” is apparently a concept album based upon a novel of the same name by legendary sci-fi/fantasy author Fritz Lieber. Now, as I’m not a big fan of power metal and had never read this novel, I had no idea how this album would go over with me, but I had a feeling it was not going to go over well.

In actual fact though, this album is kind of hard for me to review. Even though I really don’t like power metal, I have to admit the album is well-played: the musicianship is tight, the vocals are solid and the songs are well-written. On the other hand, I still don’t like this style of music much and find the whole thing a bit overdone and cheesy like pretty much all power metal is. (With the exception of Iron Mask whose album “Black As Death” smokes.) Therefore while I will say that power metal freaks will love this and should give it a listen, the rest of you should stay away as this is not going to convert you to that style.

6.5/10: Well played, but didn’t convert me to power metal.