Shylock - Pyronized


Year of Release: 2001
Label: MTM Metal
Catalog Number: MTM 0681-39
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:01:00

I simply love it when a CD by a new band reaches my mailbox and immediately grabs my attention with some great catchy songs. This is in fact the case with Shylock, a new German band to be released on MTM. I was a bit surprised to hear that this is in fact their second album. As I am a huge collector of this kind of music, I was astonished that their debut, for some reason, slipped me by.

Shylock offer melodic rock the way it is supposed to sound mixing heavy AOR with straight melodic metal. Huge,catchy guitars, a great mid-ranged vocalist, subtle keys, memorable melodies and choruses, and a solid production. The CD is chock full of brilliantly crafted songs where the first few come out as immediate favourites. Songs like "Boodsister," "Lovers In Chains" and "Never Give Up Fighting" will certainly appeal to fans of bands like Jaded Heart, Bonfire, Subway, Pink Cream 69, and Sun 'N' Steel. Although there are a couple of mediocre songs, there are many highlights on this album. The songwriting talents of Mattias Schenk is not to be mistaken. This guy knows his business.

Based on the quality of these songs, there is no doubt that Shylock has what it takes to reach the same standards and success as the bands mentioned above. Only time will tell if they do. This is easily one of the best albums to hit this scene in 2001. Now, where can I get their debut?

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Bloodsister / Lovers In Chain / Never Give Up Fighting / Lost In A Dream / That Kills Me / Desperation's Song / In Vain / Heart On The Line / Bad 'N' Sad / Another Lonely Night / Freedom Rising

Musicians:
Matthias Schenk - lead vocals
Stefan Appel - guitars & backing vocals
Steven Wussow - bass
Helmuth Welther - drums
Matthias Appel - keyboards
Johannes L?hr - guitars & backing vocals

Discography:
Shylock (1998)
Pyronized (2001)
Welcome To Illusion (2004)

Genre: Melodic Metal

Origin DE

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.shylockmusic.de
Hits: 2506
Language: english

  

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