III

After an enjoyable debut album and a very disappointing second one, Lion Shepherd managed to get back on track with a very good third album.

Perhaps this III is not as varied as Hiraeth, but it does offer us a group more focused on its oriental roots, which together with its usual influences from other groups such as Tool, Orphaned Land and Riverside, achieves a very stimulating mix.

The production is remarkable, the guitar solos are great, and perhaps in terms of sound the only defect that I would put is the loss of power in the voice of Kamil Haidar. He sounds kind of weaker this time, and his vocals are not as catchy as they used to be. Maybe next time?

Nevertheless, I think that III is a sadly overlooked and it deserves to be taken in consideration. And of course, I'm looking forward for a fourth album which elevates Lion Shepherd to a well deserved place among the prog circles.

Best Tracks: Uninvited (intense, tribal and very well composed), Good Old Days (good chorus for a signature song), What Went Wrong (influences from Riverside and Anathema for another great song), Vulnerable (progressive and hypnotic), The Kids are Not All Right (very original verses, with splendid guitar melodies)

My Rating: ***