Crescent Shield – The Stars of Never Seen

Releasedate: 02-06-2009; Label: Cruz Del Sur
By: Elvira Visser

Cresent Shield was founded back in the year 2000 in Los Angeles, California. After playing with their line up for two years it was time for their first demo, which was later presented as their first album in 2006 under the name “The Last of My Kind”. This year it is time for Crescent Shield to show their new full album “The Stars of Never Seen”, presenting some US power metal.

Even though it is said that the members of Crescent Shield are a four-piece who pour their heart and soul into every note they play, it is something that I can’t notice. I have to admit that their music does not make my heart beat any faster. I totally do not like the sound of their singers Michael Grant’s voice. I can be brief about the things that I like, the music is nicely balanced and the combination of the two voices work. It is a piece of classic metal without a doubt but it does reminds me a lot of Black Sabbath, the way the singer is trying to sing. That does not mean it is not nice to listen to. The melody lines on their own are nice, especially when they make use of the second vocalist.

Other then Ozzy the music reminds me of Nevermore and Dream Theatre. How that mix would come to sound like is Crescent Shield I guess. Some of the arrangements give that Dream Theatre feel and a track like “Tides of Fire” has a rich atmosphere. The riffs are nicely played and there is much variation between tracks. “My Anger” is a track where the tempo is higher and more to my linking. This album might sweep you off your feet when being a lover of classical metal and vocalist like Ozzy Osbourne and Warrel Dane, the music is nicely composed but the album has nothing special that makes it stand out.

Line up:
Daniel DeLucie – guitars
Michael Grant – vocals
Melanie Sisneros – bass
Craig Anderson – drums

Links:
Crescent Shield MySpace
Crescent Shield Official