SHADOWBORNE – HEAVEN’S FALLING ALBUM REVIEW

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

The Power Metal field is a crowded one and it’s tough for bands to attract the attention they deserve at times. Shadowborne are a Swedish female fronted band and all the expected tropes are there – fantasy based lyrics, uplifting battle hymns, dark and moody interludes, huge riffs and a super slick production job from the insanely talented Kristoffer Göbel. The ace in the hole for this band is vocalist Eira Shadowborne. A musical range to die for, Eira can sing anything, from fast paced Power Metal bangers to songs that wouldn’t have been out of place on a Ronnie James Dio Rainbow album from back in the day.

The rest of the musicians are pseudonymous, each playing a character in the Shadowborne fantasy universe. I don’t know who they are yet, but from guitarists, through keyboards and drums it’s clear that this is an immensely talented outfit. For a debut album this catches the eye, and if you love Game Of Thrones style mythology this will be right up your street. The album doesn’t overstay its welcome at a sharp thirty five minutes, and it’s to the bands credit that I’ve easily exceeded my six play minimum rule before laying pen to paper with a review. Opening track ‘Winter Is Coming (Heims Advenit)’ sets the scene nicely for what is to come. Ominous overlay vocals, an impending doom laden piano intro and we are quickly into the album proper with ‘’High And Low’, which introduces the bands storytelling style before segueing into a smooth chorus and thunderous drums.

‘Wolf And The Queen’ is traditional circa 2000’s Power Metal with Eira effortlessly moving through the gears.

‘Custodians’ is a thunderous runaway train of a track while ‘Hold The Door’ is a bit different from the rest of the album with some nifty synth work and no small amount of aggression. ‘Heaven’s Falling (Dragons’ Hymn)’ pays homage to Game of Thrones while ‘Stranger To Myself’ is a pitch perfect melody driven Power Metal anthem. ‘The Wall’ is a storming battle song while ‘Raven’ is a dark and ominous tale and probably the heaviest song on display here. Album closer ‘End Of The World’ is the closest thing to a ballad on the album and almost has a Scorpions vibe to it.

To conclude, I enjoyed this album a lot. Some big tunes, fantastic vocals and a band full of craftsmen producing a classic sounding power Metal album. I’ll watch this bands progression with interest, and if you’re looking for a fix of modern day Power Metal this should absolutely hit the spot.

SONGS

1. Winter Is Coming (Heims Advenit)
2. High And Low
3. Wolf And The Queen
4. Custodians
5. Hold The Door
6. Heaven’s Falling (Dragons’ Hymn)
7. Stranger To Myself
8. The Wall
9. Raven
10. End Of The World

BAND

Eira Shadowborne – Lead and backup vocals

The Warden – Guitar, keyboards backup vocals

The Oathbearer – Lead Guitar

The Keeper – Bass

The Warbringer – Drums