Shadowside - Inner Monster Out

Shadowside is Brazilian metal band that was formed in 2001. They have released three studio albums till now (including this one) and they have changed their style over the years from heavy/power metal to groovy heavy metal with lots of modern and alternative elements.

 

“Inner Monster Out” was firstly released in 2011… but now the album is repackaged with the addition of the bonus track, “Ace of Spades”, and re-released worldwide through Innerwound records. Some of you have probably come across this album in the previous months so you will already have a taste of how the band sounds like. Especially, if you have watched the video for “Angel With Horns”. Anyway, I think that this change in the band’s style was for the better… as this album shows that the band is in the right direction to become more popular. Dani’s powerful voice (she is not only pretty but she also has a great voice) and Raphael’s sharp groovy guitar riffs is what you will notice as soon as you listen to them. The production is great as the album was produced, mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordstrom (At The Gates, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Arch Enemy & Soilwork among others) at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden.

 

In the homonymous song, “Inner Monster Out”, Bjorn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquility), and Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil) are also participating… making this song the best of the album. I think that this song along with “Gag Order”, “Angel With Horns” & “A.D.D.” are the finest moments here. The guys must take care of their melodic side more and built up some powerful yet catchier refrains if they wanna make their music more appealing. It’s not how aggressive or dynamic you might sound, especially in our time, but how many good melodies you can deliver through your songs. If they take care of some small issues such as those… they can actually release something very good in the future… so do keep an eye on them…