MIND CONTROL

Although Europe seems to be flooded with progressive power metal acts, France has never been the center of attention for that particular genre. Shadyon is a relatively young French act that, while seldom pushing any boundaries, has created a high-quality prog/power metal effort with Mind Control. People who enjoy hearing technically proficient musicians who never forget about melody and memorable hooks will definitely want to give this promising young band a spin. I really enjoyed listening to this album recently and, although it rarely stands out as something "unique", Shadyon are one of the most promising acts coming out of France right now. I'd recommend fans of progressive power metal to check this one out.

Shadyon clearly takes influence from acts like Dream Theater and especially Evergrey on Mind Control. There's an accessible, melodic edge to Shadyon's music and there are plenty of complex instrumental sections to keep the album from feeling formulaic. Keyboards take a starring role here, with plenty of terrific synth solos, melodies, and atmospheric chord progressions. Those who enjoy more organic prog metal may be turned off by the bombast of Mind Control, but I personally enjoy many of the aesthetics that dominate the release. Every song is highly memorable, but I especially have to applaud "New Dimension" and "Gates of Dawn" - both of which are stellar compositions. The musicians in Shadyon are very talented; there is some breathtaking instrumental runs on Mind Control. The vocals from Emmanuel Creis are also noteworthy; he belts out some amazing melodies throughout the album.

All in all, Mind Control is a high-quality release that fans of the progressive power metal may want to seek out. It's nothing groundbreaking, and a bit more of an adventurous attitude will be essential to Shadyon's success, but I've had a great time listening to Mind Control over the last week, hence my recommendable 3.5 star rating. If Shadyon can develop a more distinct sound, I detect an amazing third album on the horizon.