When I first learned that Angra were splitting up, I was really surprised and I was really sad, cause that's a band I really liked. I was a bit angry at them cause they didn't release many things when I first started getting interested in them (Holy Land), and I immediately thought that both bands that were created from that split wouldn't be good bands. Time has proven me wrong, and I'm very glad it did. Not only are Angra and Shaman two excellent bands, but they both kept something from the roots of Angra.

Shaman sounds like Angra mainly because of Andre Matos, his vocals are very particular, and one cannot dismiss the excellent vocal abilities of Andre. After Toshi (X-Japan) he's the one that can hit these almost impossible high marks notes. Well, I don't know if it's intentional or not here, but Andre sounds EXACTLY like Toshi on a few moments of the album, and that is something I'm really glad, since X-Japan are no longer here, it makes me feel very good to hear similar vocals on speed metal.

The album starts with an excellent intro, very much into the "shaman" (american indians shamans, not the band :)) theme. Then it's followed by the first song, an atomic bomb, pure demonstration of melodical speed metal. With violins as guitars' wing mates, incredibly beautiful break (piano, violins... who said X-Japan ???), great riffs and, magnificent solo, and the cherry on top of the cake : the beautiful female vocals preceding the perfect solo. What a solo my friends, probably the best one since Silent Jealousy (again X-Japan). An impressive song called Here I Am, so beautiful that it's actually worth buying the album for that song only ! But rest assure you won't just get this perfect song when you purchased this soon to become a classic album. The second song (Distant Thunder) is another demonstration of Shaman's talent demonstrated in full power and majesty. The song is deeper, more atmospheric than the first one, which displayed the power of melodic metal with an angel-like majesty. Once again riffs and solos are beautiful and the overall feeling of mature song writing and deep musical involvement can be heard in this second song. I must say that what I love the most, what is surely to become a trademark of this band is their breaks, before or after the solos, there's always a nice piano, or other classical arrangements (including folk instruments) that really makes a true break from the metal fast moments. And before Shaman, no other bands than X-Japan was able to do this with the exception of some prog metal (but that comes with the style), but not in speed / power metal, not this way. I'm really curious to know if Andre and the guys know X, and I will sure ask them if we can get an interview with them.

I could actually write a book about each songs, but I won't and I prefer you discover some of it by yourself. The rest of the songs are all good to excellent ones, with the only little disappointment that Andre sometimes borrows (his own) typical Angra vocal melodies.. this is probably unconscious, but still it can be felt on one or two songs, nothing bad about it, but the new Angra sound fresh and new and promising, without having to get anything from the past (maybe some guitar melodies), and the vocals being in front of the sound spectrum, it's normal to feel this kind of "déjà vu" more easily on vocal than one would on guitars or bass... But again, this is by no mean a problem, just a little observation actually. I also love the very "theme" like addition in matters of arrangements, not only in intros but also in some of the songs, the integration of instruments (like some flutes among others, even many folk ones) to make this all "Shaman" theme live within the songs, while keeping a strong and sometime epic metal feeling as the root core of their music. Last but not least, the guest appearance of master Tobias Sammet in the last (and one of the best) song called Pride. After particiapting in Toby's magnificent Avantasia project (from which we'll soon get the very anticipated volume 2), it was only good courtesy to have Toby sing on Shaman, but I'm very glad he actually did (Toby being one of my fav. singers) !

The production of this album is approaching perfection, with a perfectly balanced sound, and the classical arrangements that sometimes reminds Kamelot (especially on the song Ritual)or X-Japan. The whole album is a truly pleasure for your ears. Nice artcover as well, although I'm not fund of the logo to tell you the truth... but that's only cosmetics I guess... although you know me : I attach quite some important place to the design and packaging in which the music comes.

In the end, Shaman delivers a perfect debut album, although we can't hardly call that a debut, since half the band has so much experience with Angra. A very nice surprise indeed. I'm already looking forward to listen to the next release from Shaman. So the score is : "Angra 1 - 1 Shaman". Both bands have shown enormous potential with their album since the split, and I think that in the end : the fortunate ones are us, the listeners who instead of having one band, have now two bands, with distinctive sound and yet many similarities. Congratulations guys ! A buy-or-die for all fans of melodic speed / power metal and especially fans of the above mentioned bands.