Review: “As Above, So Below” by Shadow of the Talisman

A Spaghetti Western themed Alternative Metal album is an interesting concept choice for a debut record but Shadow of the Talisman claim they aren’t the kind of band to shirk a challenge. Hailing from Flint Michigan, the riff slingers are a five piece who were united by college in November 2022, drawing influence from rock and metal subgenres to tell the twisted tale of The Outlaw and The Dark One. Joining vocalist Mike Smith in telling the tale are guitarist duo Zack Harrison and Owen Summerland with Eli Kinney on bass and Kyle Williams on drums. Produced, recorded and mixed by Mark Stewart (Antighost, Final Confession, Possum Belly) at Raydon Studio the album is titled “As Above, So Below“…

Armed with late 90’s Metallica riffs and a Soil style Southern vocal swagger, “Arise” gets the party started in fine fashion even if it feels like you might have heard it before. The solo is a flamboyant moment of virtuoso performance, the Groove Thrash otherwise of the body of the track solid and satisfying. Smith showcases his clean vocal power as “What Is Real?” takes to flight, confirming he has in his arsenal an impressive range with which to make our ears bleed. A little flamenco guitar in the mid section of this mid tempo affair is a nice touch before bursting in a vibrant 1980s style Hair Metal solo which is fun if a little cheesy. Variety is the spice of life but at nearly six minutes this one feels like the meandering could be shorter to give us something more intense. Influences from the likes of Avenged Sevenfold gives rise to “Fiery Descent“, a rapid fire rampage through a concise lyrical narrative front loaded with riffs galore. The leads and solo in this one are phenomenal, helped by a whirlwind of driving percussion and bombastic bass from a tight rhythm section that nail the low end.

The sound of the Church bells brings in “Dead with the Devil” before a quirky bass solo leads into some stompy riffs and a return to a brought up to date late 90s sound that sits between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. It’s the unclean vocal parts from Smith that make all the difference, giving the cut more weight and gravity as he plays the role of the Devil and a Wishmaster like narrative plays out. The theatricality of it works very well before moving into conjoined twin “The Outlaw” in seamless fashion. Kinney gets a second bass solo before another Southern Metal ripper flies from the fretboard with verve and swagger. There are even a couple of moments when you think the band might burst into some “Master Of Puppets” era Metallica before the whoas begin and the old school finale lands with a thump. All it’s missing is the pyrotechnics because the pair of cuts back to back are arena floor fillers. Smith reaches into his soul and pulls fourth a Layne Stanley style haunting vocal for the country tinged Grunge of “Cursed“, the sing-a-long chorus huge as the waves of melancholia caress the sands of timelessness. The lyrics maybe a little cheesy but this love song is one that has the power to grow on you with each repeated listen. American Hard Rock radio will be playing this one in edited form with alarming regularity, of that there is no doubt.

Finishing with two cuts that between them total seventeen and a half minutes is an intriguing move but having demonstrated they have the power to captivate, perhaps not as brave as it might seem. The first of those is the eight minute “As Above“, a tune with a rich storyline and a slick solo in the first quarter. A spellbinding mid section is enthralling, the almost bluesy riffs so good they call for dancers to do the Argentine Tango to them. Part of what makes that passage great is the drum sound, which is on the aggressive side and gives everything a cutting edge. A nine and a half minute grand finale in “So Below” on paper sounds mammoth but this set of talented musicians have for us a cut of spiralling leads and punchy rhythms, the downtempo mid section the kind of moment that makes Pissing Razors take note. Gang chants then build the energy once more, the lyricism reaching new strength with lines like “They’ll come to me like a lamb to the slaughter! Cleanse yourself in the unholy water!“. A Progressive Metal powerhouse that throws back to the golden age of Dream Theater and Iron Maiden, there is no doubt that Shadow of the Talisman have saved their best until last. They even take a minute to give us a meandering acoustic instrumental that is the metaphorical cherry on the cake. Yes it has been done before but it is done so well here that it turns heads, the band showing maturity in expansive song writing beyond their years. There can be no question that a career filling arenas awaits if they continue on this path because the potential is phenomenal if they can work with the right people to help them achieve it [7.5/10]

Track Listing

01. Arise
02. What Is Real?
03. Fiery Descent
04. Dead with the Devil
05. The Outlaw
06. Cursed
07. As Above
08. So Below

“As Above, So Below” by Shadow of the Talisman is out 21st February 2025 via Eclipse Records