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Shadowrise

    
       
       
       
     
             
Exlibris are a heavy metal band from Poland formed in 2003, releasing their debut album 'Skyward' in 2006. The bands next two albums followed in quick succession, 'Humagination' (2013) and 'Aftereal' (2014), with a live performance video 'Night Of Burning' released in 2016. 'Innertia', the bands fourth album was released in 2018. At the start of 2020, the band released 'Rule #1' as the first single from their fifth album 'Shadowrise'.    
             
Exlibris play a mix of progressive and power metal, all wrapped up in the classic sound of traditional heavy metal, with their new album 'Shadowrise' displaying all these traits in thundering abundance. The first single off the album 'Rule #1' begins the album in a melodic metal stomp that hits hard, very hard. The chorus break is a sing a long style affair making for an infectious and catchy listen. The album clocks in at only thirty one minutes, with just six songs on offer...but with quality this good, who really cares about quantity! Exlibris power on with the heavy hitting thunder of 'Hell Or High Water', picking up the pace and introducing a much more power metal feel than the opening song. An epic, almost cinematic vibe leaps out as 'Hell Or High Water' chugs relentlessly on.    
             
The progressive nature of the band comes to the fore as 'All I Ever Knew' stomps in and strides on with a majestic march. A slow to mid tempo pace 'All I Ever Knew' is the classic signature sound of the Polish metallers. The title song 'Shadowrise' opens with beautiful, if short, mellow keyboards, before punching through the air with such brutal force, you may get just get floored. Assuming a mid tempo melodic pace, 'Shadowrise' is full of crunch, as it meanders on to a conclusion. 'Megiddo' - no, I'm unsure how to pronounce it either, so don't worry - is the fastest song on offer, fairly racing out of the blocks as it takes flight, adopting the classic sound of traditional heavy metal, begging for feet to be placed on the monitor. 'Megiddo' is really the only song out of the albums six that allows for proper head banging. The album is brought to a close with the six minutes plus 'Interstellar'. Opening with a documentary like spoken word passage dealing with mans evolution, future and space exploration, 'Interstellar' is a stellar mid tempo progressive metal masterpiece. Oozing atmosphere, 'Interstellar' is an epic and edge of your seat journey that will make jaws drop wherever it is heard.    
             
Overall, a highly melodic and catchy romp of melded progressive and power metal, 'Shadowrise' is an infectious journey.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Against PR    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Innertia      
           
"a very heavy and hard hitting slab of traditional heavy metal, blended with hard rock and power metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Rule #1 (single)      
           
"a catchy romp, 'Rule #1' is a cracking appetiser for the bands (coming soon) fifth album - and I for one, cannot wait" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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