Shadow Gallery Tribute thread
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53030
Printed Date: November 21 2024 at 18:10
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Shadow Gallery Tribute thread
Posted By: aapatsos
Subject: Shadow Gallery Tribute thread
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 11:41
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After hearing the sad, sad news of the death of Mike Baker (R.I.P), the least I could do is to create an appreciation thread about this magnificent, unique progressive metal band, one of the few that escaped the I-sound-like-DT complex and went on to create their own style and sound. One of the first bands that introduced me to prog-metal and shook my music background (at the age of 15 then) with the brilliant release of 'Carved in Stone' in 1995 and 'Tyranny' three years later. Five studio albums, none of their releases falls into the 'uninteresting' category. The biggest complaint of the fans is that we never had the chance to see them live (yet)... Recommended albums for new listeners: Carved in Stone Tyranny (probably their most complete release) Room V |
Replies:
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 12:09
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Their albums - especially Tyranny - are absolutely essential listening for anyone who wants to know what Prog Metal is all about. RIP Mike ... you'll be sorely missed by us!
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to: 
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Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 12:15
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One of my favorite Prog Metal acts. Really adventurous and unique band!
Carved In Stone and Tyranny especially are fabulous albums, among my personal favorites in metal.
I listened to their debut last night in tribute to Mike Baker. Rest in Peace, Mike!
 ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 12:49
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^^while I'm slightly controvertial in always having preferred Legacy as my favourite album, my sentiments are absolutely the same as you guys...I'm completely gutted... ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 13:01
| Yes sad news, my fav remains Carved in stone |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 17:46
| Listening to Legacy now, I don't enjoy it as much as I used to, but it's still a fun album. |
Posted By: burritounit
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 17:46
Ohh my...can't believe it. I had just gotten Room V last week...and I did enjoyed it quite much. Tyranny is still my favorite by far.
------------- "I've walked on water, run through fire, can't seem to feel it anymore. It was me, waiting for me..." |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 18:27
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The way you come to me
is such a mystery
I just reach out and connect
a thousand miles from hetre and yet it's all right here
it's electric on a silver thread
I never see your face you're such a mystery
where you are I can only guess
Addictive screens
I just cannot turn away.
Though this refers to a woman in the lyrics, we can all forum member identify with this... this is, in a nutshell, this ridiculous virtual-home we have called PA....
Songs like that and "Roads of Thunder" and "I Believe" and "Crystalline Dream" and "Cliffhanger 2" and "Room V" are what made SHADOW GALLERY my fifth favorite band of them all, and number two in progressive-metal, only behind DREAM THEATER.
Unlike other bands, SG never sounded like DT. Or like nobody else. They have METALLICA influences, IRON MAIDEN influences, but a very strong influence in their sound was QUEENSRYCHE, especially "Operation:Mindcrime".
The great thing about SG was the combination of superlative technique with amazing melodies. Probably one of the most melodic prog-metal bands ever, SG was accused by some of being "too saccharine" for songs like "Crystalline Dream". Baker's voice was at times close to hair-metal in style, very theatrical, powerful, ultra-melodic. His vocal lines, crafted with help from Cadden-James and Wehrkamp, will stand the test of time.
After I became familiar with DT and some other prog artists thanks to the Magna carta label back in 2000-1, I met SHADOW GALLERY thanks to their masterpiece, "Tyranny". To this day that album is (and will ever be I guess) among my five favorite albums of all time, right there with works by DT . I have heard that record so many times that I know it from heart from top to bottom. Countless alcohol sessions with friends I have had where the soundtrack has been that album.
SG started with a decent debut, though the recording was atrocious (arguably, the worst ever). They helped kick-start the Magna Carta label, in its glory days.
Now, "Room V" will be the final album by this magnificent group. If Cadden-James, Wehrkamp, Allman and the rest decide to record more music, it will not be SHADOW GALLERY. Without Baker, there cannot be a Shadow Gallery.
Shadow Gallery
 1/2Carved in Stone
Tyranny
Legacy
Room V
Rest in Peace Mike Baker! A great vocalist, a great singer, and forever with me as I'll continue to listen to you long after you're gone from here. Thanks for giving me countless hours of enjoyment and thanks for the thousand that I've yet to have with your voice.
 ------------- 
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Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 18:46
My rating of their albums would be similar to yours, still a bit higher for some of them... Hold your hands up high, lift them toward the sky... |
The T wrote:Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 21:30
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omg, i didn't knew he had died! I just hope Shadow Gallery can go on without him as well as they did with him, but anyway, it is indeed a great lost. Even if they DO find someone that fits in SG as he did, his vocals will always be the measuring stick. RIP Mike Baker, and may your spirit always guide SG. -------------   
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 22:02
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BTW, my SG album order is: Debut:  Carved in Stone: Tyranny: Legacy: 1/2 (the album have some damn cheesy tracks)Room V: -------------
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 01:06
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No... they will never be Shadow Gallery again... not in my book... -------------
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Posted By: progrules
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 02:35
Agree with 1, 4 and 5 completely, 2 & 3 half a star less. But brilliant band Shadow Gallery, they'll never die on me. All sympathy for friends and relatives of Mike. Strongest point (amongs many strong) of the band was always the harmonic vocals of which Mike was naturally the most important part. What a loss ..... ------------- A day without prog is a wasted day |
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 16:37
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I'll be honest, Room V was the first Shadow Gallery release that I enjoyed. The other ones were promising, but did little to wow me (not to mention they had weaker productions). Their style isn't really my thing, so that would explain why I didn't like them very much, but their final album had the technicality, melody, emotion and atmosphere that connected with me. It's a darn shame they finally made a great album and won't ever be able to follow it up with a few more. RIP Mike. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 19:21
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The end of the 80s was the period I discovered hard rock and metal - and not long after I discovered Rush, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer and Queensryche, Dream Theater's debut album came out. This album, together with Rush's 2112 were my favourite albums for a very long time, and combined with various numbers 3-5 - until Shadow Gallery's debut album landed in my lap. From 1992 up until 1998 - when I lost interest in recorded music (just before Tyranny was released) until shortly before I joined PA - these three albums took turns in being my #1 album. Carved in Stone, Images and Words and Marillion's Fugazi (!) had become the battlers for position 3-6 by then. Nowadays, I don't keep such lists anymore, but if I look at how things stand, Rush, Marillion and Shadow Gallery have survived the battle. In case of Shadow Gallery, that is mainly due to the use of the flute in the instrumental intro to Darktown (they should've used it more often) and the fabulously layered melodies composed mostly by Carl Cadden James that carried straight into the (multi-)vocal lines. I must admit that it had been a while since I last played any of their albums, but over the weekend I played the first three in response to Mike's departure - and nothing but good memories came back. I have to still get really familiar with everything since Tyranny, which is probably why my favourite tracks so far remain Darktown, and Crystalline Dream. For vocal melodies, and fond memories of Mike, I'd add Queen of the City of Ice to that. The occasion is far from glorious, but I'll be rediscovering this great band in the coming weeks. ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: 1shadowwarrior
Date Posted: October 29 2009 at 22:57
| Shadow Gallery has posted a video tribute to Mike baker on their website that is worth taking a few minutes to watch. www.shadowgallery.com |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 30 2009 at 08:19
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Rest In Peace, Mike. You truly were a great singer. I just wonder how they can continue without such talent. RIP ------------- 
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 30 2009 at 08:25
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By the way, my Shadow Gallery listing looks something like this: Debut: 1/2Carved in Stone: Tyranny: Legacy: Room V: -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: October 30 2009 at 12:04
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Good Jeff! Mine:
Shadow Gallery:
(the recording is horrendous)Carved in Stone: 1/2Tyranny: Legacy: Room V: Almost the same!  -------------
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Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: October 30 2009 at 13:07
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: October 31 2009 at 11:17
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Has anyone checked their new album yet?
-------------
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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 31 2009 at 11:24
Yeah, I really like it. -------------
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: October 31 2009 at 17:34
No. I never download. Next tuesday I'll have it. Not one day later.  -------------
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