I’m a long time fan of the Brazilian band Shadowside, who’ve been raising hell with their full metal assault since 2001. Inner Monster Out is their third release and it’s by far their best. This is a solid album and it shows that the band has reached a new level of maturity and skill in their song writing and musicianship. Recording in Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström was obviously the right move, because I think the band has finally discovered what they are truly capable of, and I also think that they have achieved the perfect style and sound for the band. The songs on this CD are super tight, and Dani Nolden’s vocals in particular seem to have risen to the occasion with more power and control than ever before. How this lady isn’t far better known in the metal world is beyond me. I certainly envy the lucky people who got to see this band open for Iron Maiden early in 2011.

Getting to the album itself, this is one hell of a collection of great metal tunes. Seriously folks, these songs come roaring from your speakers like a fiery chariot from hell. This is unrelenting metal at its best: fast paced, high energy with killer guitars, soaring vocals and a hard hitting rhythm section. What I really like about this album is that its sound is quite aggressive but also has very melodic sections as well. It’s a great mix of classic and power metal with nice throaty vocals powerfully delivered by Dani and some fine metal riffage by guitarist Raphael Mattos.

In the song “Habitual” I think Dani uses her full vocal range, going from very low and gravelly in the beginning of the song to some pretty high wails later on. There’s some short but sweet shredding to be found here as well.

“Whatever Our Fortune” has a more anthem like approach to it, and I could see this song being used as a single at some point, or as a crowd pleaser to get the energy going at live shows. Speaking of singles, “Angel With Horns” is another good rocker and the band has chosen to use it for the first video from this album. According to Dani, this song is a play on the fact that despite her apparent sweet personality, her friends can still see the mischievous devil hiding just inside!

Two of the wildest and heaviest songs on the album are “I’m Your Mind” and “Waste of Life”. The aforementioned is just freakin’ fabulous! Man this tune rocks hard and Dani’s singing is incredibly powerful. The latter song is another where Dani enjoys reaching for both extreme ends of her vocal range. Raphael’s guitar parts are certainly frantic in these two songs including some pretty smooth shredding in “Waste of Life”. His playing throughout this album maintains a sharp metal edge while the drums and bass keep things charging along at a good pace, but staying below the speed metal threshold.

Every song on this album is just straight ahead metal at its best and I hope this becomes the definitive sound for Shadowside. I have to be honest and say that although I enjoy many types of rock and metal, and lord knows there are a million categories of metal out there these days, this album represents one of my personal favorite styles. So if I seem crazy enthusiastic about this release, I just can’t help it. It pushes all the right buttons for me, and it truly is an exceptional metal album of this style which I hope will bring Shadowside the attention they deserve. They’ve been working at this for ten years! Hell it’s about time they got some world wide recognition. I highly recommend this one folks! Don't miss out on one of the best metal albums of 2011.

Websites:
http://www.shadowside.ws
http://www.facebook.com/shadowsideband
http://www.myspace.com/shadowsideband

Available to buy at the band’s shop:
http://shadowside.bigcartel.com

© 2011 John Davies (Sugar & Spikes Music)