She was not entirely satisfied by the end result unfortunately. I hear an album always first once straight through, without informing me in some way or other to deal with it. After that said first passage I was then but first a little perplexed as, a "Yes, very nice, but ..." idea began to spread.
The album is lacking in my opinion quite clear on highlights. The guys from Finland deliver again rock solid music, the real musical talent but moves into the background. The cellos get enough attention, so it feels for me. More an accompanying instrument, as the supporting role.
For example, the track Riot Lights where driving drums are very strong in the foreground, and the strings are somehow degraded.
Next time there is a lot more pieces with vocals, which were all of one and the same artist, Franky Perez, set to music. Mr. Perez delivers a good job, but his voice fits not always 100% on the songs, often I have still a bit more power, simply desired more highlights. In the clear, calm piece Hole In My Sole but his voice is exactly the right choice. I want to blame not just push the singer, that would be too easy.
It is simply used that different singers arrive on the albums, and the listeners by actually get a very wide range. At the end Shadowmaker be single track, especially when compared to the previous albums.
But I personally rarely hear an album individually, but always have a playlist with more than one album of an artist. Here Shadowmaker adds quite well, but fits well between the many other songs. But standing alone simply missing 2-3 outstanding songs, do not let the album seem generic.
I'm really no one who is afraid that Apocalyptica more adapts to the mainstream, or whatever we are reading. I had expected only after the long break more.
And yet, I'm looking forward to the live tour in the fall :)
