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Year: 2011
Country: USA
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despite the setbacks they have had, they never threw in the towel. My first encounter with the band was through their official release ‘Twilight Of Humnaity' from 2002. But besides a self-titled demo in 1996, with ‘Shadows Of Reality’, the band had also released a full-length album on their own. It is now almost impossible to get that thing and you can forget about the chance of getting the demo. The better that the band and Pure Steel Records treat us on 'Shadows Of The Past’ this month.
As the title already suggests, we are not dealing with a new Zandelle album, but a collection of old songs that have been re-recorded for this. First of all we get four songs on the ‘Zandelle' demo, followed by six tracks from the debut. Despite the fact that they have used modern technology to record these songs, the band has left the songs in their value, and so has kept the old-school charm intact. These compositions are quite simple, but still sound very catchy. Although the bad has grown musically over the years and has developed its sound (in the positive sense), with these old songs it becomes clear that they have always kept true to their original sound. Besides the old songs the compilation contains 'Unleashed'; a previously unreleased track, taken from the 'Vengeance Rising' recordings. Of course this song would have fitted perfectly on that album perfectly appropriate and I am glad that it still has seen the light of day after all. With ‘Scream My Name’ we also get a brand new song, which is very much in line with the latest album ‘Flames Of Rage’ and also reminds me a bit of the atmosphere of Savatage's ‘Sirens’. This is a tasty Zandelle track makes me even thirstier for the next album. And finally we get a good version of Whitesnake's ‘Bad Boys’.
But that's not all! This release also contains a second disc, containing the original versions of the re-recorded songs. So you can compare and also choose which version you prefer to hear. Compliments for the band and the label for this! ‘Shadows Of The Past' is not only an interesting release for its delightful, old-school heavy metal, but also shows the band's development over the years. The scene today is loaded with bands that take hold of the old feel of heavy metal. Zandelle did so fifteen years ago already and it's a shame to see that due to the circumstances they have fallen behind a bit. Let's hope the next album comes soon and that they finally get the recognition they deserve. But until then we can enjoy these (new) oldies.
