INNER SIEGE – Kingdom Of Shadows (2012)
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INNER SIEGE is a new band from Illinois, US, which managed to impress someone along the way as they inked a deal with Los Angeles based Roxx Records to release “Kingdom Of Shadows”, their debut full length album.
Fans who were blown away when Queensryche ‘The Warning’ was first released bringing a refined majesty to American metal, will embrace “Kingdom Of Shadows” with open arms.
The guitar work of Kevin Grose and J.L. Prater simply shreds while the bass work of Ravn and drum precision of Wade Helm lock it all down tight. Vocalist Jeremy Ray conveys that same kind of incredible emotional resonance with technical skill delivering a tight performance.
Musically there is a lot of muscle here and it’s not relying on a bunch of blast beats to get the point across.
There’s some really heavy moments in “Fight On” and “Abuser” bordering power metal, but most of the material is American melodic metal oriented as the impactful “Warrior”, “Excuses” and “Ultimate Sacrifice”.
We have more commercial, almost catchy tracks in the truly Queensryche-like “Dragon Rider” and the excellent midtempo “Children Of Winter”, and even we have an instrumental ballad with the fantastic “What Kind of Love” featuring a terrific guitar work.
“Kingdom Of Shadows” is an impressive debut by Inner Siege. The songs are really well cafted and interestingly arranged, played with solid musicianship.
With this foundation (essential in any good album) the true highlight in this recording is the awesome clean and polished sound. It’s thick and powerful, but crystal clear as a faceted diamond, perfectly mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordstrom (Dream Evil).
Lovers of polished Melodic American Metal, early Queensryche and alikes, rejoice; Inner Siege’s “Kingdom Of Shadows” brings back that traditional style with class.
Recommended.
01 – Warrior
02 – Fight On
03 – Dragon Rider
04 – Children of Winter
05 – Control
06 – Abuser
07 – Excuses
08 – Free
09 – What Kind of Love
10 – Ultimate Sacrifice
Vox : Jeremy Ray
Axe : Kevin Grose
Axe : J.L. Prater
Drums : Wade Helm
Bass : Ravn
BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/innersiege1
