As Shadows Burn

Nuclear Blast

Los Angeles based Echoes Of Eternity have returned with one of the most promising sophomore releases to emerge in recent Metal history. Tapping former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader as producer, As Shadows Burn marks a tremendous accomplishment for the band. With the popularity of female fronted Metal acts on the rise it is always refreshing to hear a band explore new areas of musical interest. 

You won’t find any operatic vocals or symphonic orchestrations here, in fact you won’t even find brutal death vocals or Iron Maiden themed guitar leads either, such is the majority rule of female fronted bands these days. True to the point this is predominately a straight forward Thrash effort with minor hints of Goth, Progressive and Black Metal sparingly dispersed throughout the album as a whole. All this with one major twist, that being of course the soothing voice of front woman Francine Boucher. In spite of its thrashy roots As Shadows Burn holds to form when it comes to the melodic and emotional stature of the bands talents.

Touching on an array of lyrical topics that are at times positive minded and righteously thought provoking “Buried Beneath a Thousand Dreams”, Echoes Of Eternity also tend to come across as a bit cliché’ especially when it comes to the overtly rehashed bash against Christianity and/or organized religion overall. I’m sorry but it’s all been done way too much. Nevertheless the music is what matters most and this album represents some off the best Metal in existence today; highly recommended to every genuine fan of the genre.

-Priest