H R H - R E V I E W S

Shadow Circus
Welcome to the Freakroom Independent

Comments: "Step right up!" yells through my speakers and it is followed by an extravagant journey through the sonic landscapes of SHADOW CIRCUS, pasted in dark gloomy colours surrounded by some exquisite flickering bright lights. The music is progressive, surprising and melodic. Rooted deeply in the '80's scene and drenched in the more classic '70's sauce of keyboard pumped classic rock dinosaurs. Shadow Circus covers the entire horizon without lacking a very unique overall sound. Let me quote: "You got to hold on tight for the ride of your life …"

Shadow Circus are without doubt one of the most remarkable new prog acts on the MySpace pages. With the new Welcome to the Freakroom spinning round after round, it reveals more of its outstanding beauty with every play. Prior to labelling the album as another concept album, John Fontana himself made clear that this album contains a collection of songs with a cohesive musical and lyrical background.

"Shadow Circus" can best be considered the overture of the story which starts out with a staccato guitar lick in the vein of Harem Scarem's "Warming a Frozen Rose" lick, to open bluntly with extravagance. The track features music and tunes from the travelling circus' of the old days twisted into form for a rocker with bite. Keys and guitar riff going against the grain and each other, creating enough tension and friction to make a Ferris wheel fly. An opener that needs to nest in your brain and won't leave the headroom afterwards. "Storm Rider" is more in the vein of English classic prog acts like Jadis, Pendragon, and above all: IT BITES. Stubborn and unique with an explosive middle section of high musical craftsmanship.

"Inconvenient Compromise" is rooted deeper into the classic progressive scene with its typical (Wakeman) keyboard patterns and swirls, in combination with the archetypical Moog, mellowtron and Korg noises provided by Zack Tenorio-Miller (keys). Keyboards upfront blended by some nu groove sounds and fine guitar playing in the mid section (for a sec only), the track grooves away like a Led Zep song that got infested by Yes proggies! A fine blend of old and new prog.

"Radio People" again is a corker from the It Bites shelves of prog. Keyboards pumping it to the max and drums boosting ponderous and hard, the song is a protest call against the grey masses following seemingly with all new trends and music. Shadow Circus also added their view on a rock ballad with "In the Wake of a Dancing Flame," starting with fine laid back orchestration and falling into the more classic movements for this type of track. Intimate with David Bobick sounding fragile and at times frustrated at heart. A mid section with fine Gilmour-ish guitar playing over rolling drums and percussion. It is until that moment when the band reveals its finest moment; the epical 11.46 "The Journey of Everyman," divided into here musical journey tickling the senses. "So it Begins" opens the journey with a David Foster reminiscent keyboard and piano section over nicely orchestrated flowing tunes. Especially the orchestrations sound exceptionally vivid thanks to Matt's additional cello sections, creating a more lively feel. Underneath all of this smooth playing Matt Masek kicks and slaps his bass in the best Geddy Lee tradition. Combined with the rolling drums and rhythmic shuffles of Corey Folta (dr.) and the razorsharp clean guitar playing of John Fontana, the musical expression explodes off the edges!

"Find Your Way" is an easygoing melodic rock track with fragile vocals from Bobick that builds up tension towards a cacophonic musical explosion including a firing guitar solo over tons of breaks. "Journey's End" smoothly takes over with a fine tuned guitar/keyboard section, ending this 45-minute rock journey with a grand finale.

Welcome to the Freakroom is an album marking a remarkable debut entrance of a freakshow in prog rock. Shadow Circus combines the classic ingredients of the old days with the newer sounds and influences, much like Frost managed to do on "Million Town". The stubborn and approach of their music and production of the record makes this a unique joyride through an abstract landscape of sound. Highly melodic enjoyable sections are promptly followed by staccato and capricious cacophonic outbursts, creating tension and friction. Once the listener is getting used to the avant gardistic approach, the album tends to reveal more of its beauty with every spin of this silver disc.

www.shadowcircusmusic.com
www.myspace.com/shadowcircus

Hardrock Haven rating: 9.2/10