THE BREATHING SHADOW

"The Breathing Shadows" is the first Nightingale album - which was written and recorded only in one week time - but it can be considered as a Dan Swano soloalbum, because at that time he was the only member in the band. He played all the instruments on this album, but unfortunately Dan decided to use drummachine instead of playing the drums himself. This album is not really prog, rather gothic, dark and melancholic - very strong Sisters Of Mercy influences - than all the other Nightingale albums, that are more 70s hard-rock orientated. There are no death growls, Dan sings on his clean voice (he's got wonderful voice, clean, sad and dark) on every Nightingale album. Some songs are really great on this record, 'Nightfall Overture' and 'The Dreamreader' are killer tunes and some of them are very cathy like 'Higher Than The Sky'. Very enjoyable to listen such a beautiful gloomy record. For some reason the lyrics for this album (and the lyrics of "The Closing Chronicles" as well) are included in the cover of the third album "I".

If you have not heard about them before, start with the second album "The Closing Chronicles", which is the best progressive album from Nightingale.

6.5-7/10