Year : 2013
Style : Melodic Hard Rock
Country : France
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 148 mb
Bio:
Formed in the beginning of 1998 by Patrice LOUIS (Guitar) and Thierry DAGNICOURT (Keyboards), SHANNON plays a melodic hard rock that sticks to the skin. During the spring of 1998, the band enroles ex-JANNYLEE's singer Olivier DEL VALLE behind the mike, then Claude THILL (ex-DER KAISER) playing bass and Maxence PILO (ex-HEAVENLY) at the drum kit join the band to finally complete the line-up. Their debut and eponymous album released in November 2003 on the Anvilcorp. label and distributed by Wagram has been unanimously praised and regarded by the international press as one of the most impressive and brilliant record of the year in the Classic 80's US melodic rock style. With catchy hooklines, infectious choruses and a groovy and powerful rhythm section, SHANNON is the perfect alchimy between classic US melodic hard rock and typical european influenced NWOBHM sound, delivering a music as powerful as melodic. After the release of the album, the band takes the road and shares the stage with re-knowned artists such as AXXIS, PINK CREAM 69 and Jeff Scott SOTO in Paris. In the middle of 2005, SHANNON sees its first line-up changes with the departure of Claude and Maxence, immediately replaced by, respectively, Nicolas FIXY (Bass) and Benjamin BERGEROLLE (Drums), both formerly in French epic-progressive TAÏ PHONG. Strongly encouraged with the success of their self-titled album, not only in France, but widely abroad, the band has taken the way to the studio to record, more motivated than ever. WORLD OF DESIRE, a 5-track demo EP, was released in 2007. SHANNON played several shows to present the new songs and was selected to play before GOTTHARD at the RAISMES FESTIVAL. Some special guests are invited and did some backing vocals (Gianni PONTILLO, Ben SOTTO, Ben VENET, Bruno LEVESQUE, Jens WALKENHORST) and a duet with Renaud HANTSON was recorded. The band signed with ArtistService at the end of 2007 and ANGEL IN DISGUISE, the brand new album, even more powerful than their debut, is world wide distributed by MusicBuyMail. Never missing an opportunity to play live, the band played eventually at the PARIS METAL FRANCE FESTIVAL. After been part of the september nights open air festival with Axxis and Krokus, the band has released his third album "circus of lost souls" and will promote it on stage around europe in 2013...
Album:
Originally formed in 1998 and originating from France, SHANNON play melodic Hard Rock with a twinge of Power Metal. Their sound is rooted in the 80s and they would fit alongside legendary bands PRETTY MAIDS, PINK CREAM 69 and GOTTHARD perfectly. At times, the band struggles with song direction and their song writing suffers for it.On the power ballad “Can’t Stop the Rain” the band catches some momentum and provides us with their best song. This is the catchiest song by far and the melodies of vocalist Olivier Del Valle are his most creative. Guitarist Patrice Louis plays a heartfelt solo that fits perfectly with the music. The other power ballad “In Your Eyes” while not quite as strong is also one of the more accessible tunes on “Circus of Lost Souls.” Nice backing vocals accentuate the captivating melody and we are once again treated to some tasteful guitar playing. I am at a loss why the band doesn’t stick to the power ballad genre more often. They are more suited for this type of material.Opening track “Ride to Live” incorporates more of their Power Metal influences and it fits SHANNON’s sound brilliantly. The melodies are infectious and the driving tempo urges the listener to pump his fist and bang their head. The same can be said for the dynamic “Forever Now” which has the feel of latter day PRETTY MAIDS, another bright spot.When the band plays straightforward and with more of an 80s vibe they lose their way. Songs like “Drive Me Crazy” and “Let’s Make Rock” are cliché filled and drag the momentum down. Their strength is clearly when they incorporate more Power Metal influences and the excellent power ballads. The main issue is the record is too long. With 13 songs there is a lot of filler material. They could have cut fours songs and had a solid release on their hands.If SHANNON can realize their strengths as a band they have a ton of upside. The musicianship is in place and they have some tremendous songs but on the next album they have to realize that sometimes quality is more important than quantity.
Line-Up:
Olivier Del Valle (Vocals)
Patrice Louis (Guitars)
Nicolas Fixy (Bass)
Thierry Dagnicourt (Keyboards)
Benjamin Bergerolle (Drums)
Special Guests:
Harry HESS (Harem Scarem) - duet on "Can't Stop The Rain"
Lionel BLANC & Roland PIERREHUMBERT (Sideburn) - Guest on "Let's Make Rock"
Paul SABU (AOR Artist, Rock Producer) - Guest on "I don't Need You Anymore", "Ride To Live", "Half Way To Heaven"
Tony MILLS (Shy, TNT) - Guest on "Dust To Dust", "Forever Now"
Mike FREELAND, Chris & Tino TROY (Praying Mantis) - Guest on "In Your Eyes"
Tracklist:
01. Ride To Live (3:20)
02. Forever Now (4:08)
03. Halfway To Heaven (3:37)
04. Can't Stop The Rain (4:44)
05. Don't Get Me Wrong (3:27)
06. Dust To Dust (2:54)
07. Death On The Run (5:33)
08. Let's Make Rock (3:23)
09. Kick It Down (3:47)
10. I Don't Need You Anymore (4:07)
11. In Your Eyes (5:34)
12. Drive Me Crazy (4:25)
13. Smalltown Boy (4:06)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
