Sonrise Artist: Schaliach Label: Petroleum Records This album has actually been out for more than a year, but that's how long it took for me to be persuaded to spend the extra cash on this doom/death import from Norway. Someone told me it reminded them of Amorphis' classic Tales From the Thousand Lakes. Yeah right, I thought (but look, I bought it!). And lo and behold, these guys are astounding! It's like a metal symphony, rhythms and riffs cascading all over the place. The similarities to Amorphis are there alright, from the gravelly but digestable vocals to the grinding grooves to the classical and progressive overtones. I'd say the production and overall sound aren't as lush and mountainous (perhaps due to the lack of keyboards), but it's great enough for me. Shaliach is wonderful. Mid-paced metal alternating between moods of death and doom, well-orchestrated and with lovely lead guitar singing melodically over it all (recalling those beautiful Metallica leads of old). The kind of metal you can actually relax to (at least, I can!). Three instrumentals--one acoustic, one plugged, and one plugged with piano and strings. The lyrics aren't overly creative but they're clear, proclaiming Christ with an emphasis on love. It's amazing that it's only two guys--one doing the vocals and the other everything else, plus a guest on piano and strings for a track or two. Fans of Amorphis, Solitude Aeturnus, and faster doom bands, rejoice! Some Christians have finally created a comparable piece of music. It might take a little effort to find a copy, but of all the metal out there, this is at the top of the list. By: Josh Spencer
I'd been hearing a lot about this release. I became more interested after listening to a few sound bites and hearing the prog feel to it, but not enough to spend twenty dollars. When it turned up for $3.49, though, I wasted no time in snatching it up. I wasn't disappointed, as I was treated to a great progressive metal feast which, although metal, focuses on melody rather than mindless distortion. It flows like classical music, with wonderful guitar work on the level of Dream Theater, Threshold, Shadow Gallery, and Teramaze. The solos serve a purpose within the songs, instead of just feeding the guitarist's ego. And while I freely admit growling vocals aren't usually my style, it's okay because the main focus is on the music here. Also, in this case the lyrics are interesting enough to make that extra effort to appreciate the vocals:
A man's heart goes unseen His labors forgotten at the threshold of time The grass withers, the flower fades But the word of his testimony stands forever The man's honor was his love Faithfulness - his pledge (from "The Last Creed") By Shari Lloyd
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