Shaman Origins
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
The Brazilian power metal foursome Shaman (who got their name after one who practices the religion Shamanism) have certainly had their share of rough times. With band members coming and going, internal conflicts, legal reasons that forced the band to release 2005’s Reason under the name Shaaman, the band refuses to let the past stand in their way, and this time under their original name Shaman have released the power metal Origins. So let it never be said the band has not come through despite a truly checkered and rocky existence.
Complete with the bombastic “Lethal Awakening,” the synthesizers of the power metal “Infernal Veil,“ the melodic CD highlight “Finally Home,” the wicked “No Mind,” and the soft” Rising Up To Life,” which at first listen with it’s breathy, flowing vocals and piano intro is reminiscent of Queen’s “Teo Torriatte,” from their brilliant 1976 A Day At The Races release. Each of these tracks, in and off themselves come across as excellent, well written products, but however as a completed CD it instead plays out as choppy, and thus the overall layout doesn’t flow. Should this had been a CD where the tracks were not strong or poorly played it would have brought down the feel of the entire CD, but Shaman, as they have continuously been able to do with each of their releases, make up for this with strong musicianship (a listen to the pianos, drums and guitars of “Infernal Veil,” solidify that,) and well crafted songs.
Said to be the story of a young Siberian boy and the travels of his tribe, Origins does have several factors giving it a strong showing. First are the vocal styling of new front man, Thiago Bianchi, formerly of Karma, who can fluctuate from the lows to reaching his voice to the upper octaves, as heard on the two part, “Ego.” Granted in the upper octaves his voice in moments is heard with a slant of the head, as he seems to shriek, rather than sing, but when he gets it right, he gets it really right – as heard on “Blind Messiah.”
Also giving this CD note is the songwriters knowing how it is that certain world music influences, sounds, special effects and percussions can emphasize a track’s emotions. This is certainly the highlight of the use of the China Cymbal heard on “No Mind,” the flutes of “Blind Messiah,“ the recorder and the sounds of an out of breath running man, breaking branches, wolves and tribal chants all heard during the intro of the opening track, “Origins, (The Day I Died)” the winds and almost middle eastern sounds of “Ego, Part 1,” and the ocean waves, wind and gulls of the stirring “S.S.D,. (Signed, Sealed and Delivered.)”
With monster sized drums, evil guitar licks, explosive delivery of the music, Origins is, overall, a fine CD. Each track is well played, well thought out and the story behind the tracks is intriguing. Choppy yes, but no one can undermine that Shaman has once again proved to the music community that they do have what it takes to be a strong contender within the genre of power metal.
Label: Scarlet Records
Genre – Power Metal
Track Listing
Origins (The Day I Died)
Lethal Awakening
Infernal Veil
Ego, Part I
Ego, Part II
Finally Home
Rising Up To Life
No Mind
Blind Messiah
S.S.D. (Signed, Sealed, Delivered)
Musicians
Thiago Bianchi – vocals
Leo Mancini – guitars
Fernando Quesada – bass
Ricardo Confessori – drums
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.8/10