SHAMAN - Origins CD review

ARTIST: Shaman
TITLE: Origins
LABEL: BL MUSIC SAS / Scarlet
YEAR: 2010
REVIEWED BY: Trystan MacDonald

I hate intro tracks. But I won’t hold it against the band, Shaman. Why? Because the album “Origins” by the Brazilian power metal band is one of the heaviest power metal albums I’ve ever heard.

I wouldn’t call myself a power metal fan by any means. I find that many power metal bands sound and present themselves in a rather cheesy manner. Sonata Arctica, Symphony X and Borealis are a couple of exceptions I can name, but overall I find that many try to imitate the powerful voice of metal god, Bruce Dickinson. Needless to say I was blown away when I heard the voice of Thiago Bianchi. Replacing the former vocalist, Andre Matos (Ex-vocalist for Viper and Angra), I was surprised and ultimately confused by the theatrical voice of the new vocalist. “Where the hell did this guy come from?” I was asking myself throughout the entire album. I know I’m probably going to get spammed by metal head keyboard warriors for this but Thiago is, in my opinion, a greater vocalist than what Andre could ever hope to be. Listen to the song “Ego 1” as well as “Ego 2” if you don’t believe me.

The instrumentals on this album are mind-blowing as well. They play fast and they shred, and they do it with precision. They don’t lose themselves in powerful ballads or progressive movement, and I can’t tell you how refreshing that is to hear. A power metal band keeping it simple and heavy is a welcome change. The intro to the album feeds into “Lethal Awakening” and lethal it is. Out of nowhere, you hear the mind altering speeds of lead guitarist, Leo Mancini.

Finger blistering speed accompanied by Thiago Bianchi’s phenomenal vocals create a very fresh and brilliant album. If you’re looking for a more simplistic yet heavy power metal album I highly suggest “Origins”.