Time Signature Coldness of metal...

Genre: US power metal

Featuring the likes of Shane French and John Teer as regular members and Pete Blakk and Dave Garcia as guest performers, it is no surprise that VOZ' debut album "Shadows of Night" is a massive barrage of US power metal with razor sharp guitars and plenty of references to traditional metal.

After the epic guitar-harmony-filled intro 'Shadows of Death', the album is kicked into gear through the aggressive 'Coldness of Night' which combines galloping guitars and almost thrashy riffage, a style which is continued in the following track 'The Happening', which also features some more groovy riffage, while tracks like 'Underworld', 'Run' and 'Witch Hunter' are heavier, but no less aggressive.

Bolstering the core line-up, Pete Blakk and Dave Garcia, as mentioned above, make guest appearances providing lead guitars, and, consequently, the listener can expect both technically advanced and frenzied shreddy soloing, while the rhythm guitars are massive, and drummer Jack Teer - true to the power metal ethos - delivers double bass drums galore. Morrie Vozdecky's vocals might take some getting used to, and might even be an acquired taste, as his singing combines a bit of Ripper Owens, a bit of Rob Halford, and a bit of King Diamond. I can imagine that some listeners might find the vocals too hysterical, but I like that uncontrolled aspect of Vozdecky's singing.

I think that many fans of aggressive US power metal will like the music itself, but the production is perhaps too raw and unpolished to many of the same listeners. Generally, it seems a bit thin and lacks a solid bottom, but at the same time, it definitely is refreshing with a raw-sounding release in a genre otherwise known for very polished productions.

A solid debut which shows a lot of future potential VOZ' "Shadows of Death" is a tour de force of all the virtues of US power metal and should appeal to fans of the likes of Cage, Iced Earth and Manowar.