The Demo Review:

Artist: Shadow Keep
Band Members: Rogue M. (vocals), Chris Allen (lead guitar), Nicki Robson (rhythm guitar), James Daley (bass), Russell King (drums)
Album Produced by: Shadow Keep and Karl Groom
Location: London, England
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    		• There are currently 2 Reviews of this Demo.
    Average Rating: 4

    Reviewed by Death (added 1/12/00):
    Perhaps Shadow Keep is most directly described as an absolutely awesome power metal band with very high pitched vocals and great guitar leads. But more than that, Shadow Keep's songs like "Dark Tower" or "Inner Sanctum" take the best musical elements of bands like very early Overkill or Flotsam & Jetsam, and combine them with the more simplistic guitar riff-heavy power of old Mercyful Fate and the more straightforward Iced Earth riffs, forming a winning combination. And surprisingly, Shadow Keep's no-nonsense metal riffing doesn't force them to sacrifice the heightened melodic sense that the majority of their Eurpean power metal brethren so expertly display. The killer vocals (I especially like "The Silver Sword" -- very emotional in a higher-pitched Geoff Tate wort of way) stand out so dramatically that the exquisite guitar work throughout this six-song release just ends up being the icing on the cake. I can't believe these guys aren't signed to a major metal label with American distribution. Somebody grab this band!
    4 out of 5
    DEATH  Email Death

    Reviewed by Musashi (added 11/18/99):
    England is known for many things, including Marshall amps and good heavy metal. Shadow Keep is representing their native country well.

    I won't go into a long review of Shadow Keep. I think it is enough to simply say these guys are good. Real good! They sound like Iron Maiden and Queensryche with more 64th notes on the guitar.

    If you like the British metal sound, go and get this CD. It's only 6 songs but it's worth a listen. I can't wait for them to come stateside. The production is good. The artwork is typically British. I would like to see more skulls on their next release.

    As far as demos go, the CD is right on. They should get some more photos to go with the package they sent.

    I give these guys 4 skulls only because they don't really have something new to offer. But for that old-school-metal-flavor, I think Shadow Keep has the goods.
    4 out of 5

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