Search - Nightingale :: Breathing Shadow

Nightingale's debut album

Justin Gaines | 03/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is ex-Edge of Sanity vocalist Dan Swano's first album with his current side project Nightingale. Dan Swano wrote this entire record by himself in merely seven days, therefore this is somewhat different from the following Nightingale records. TBS is more gothic oriented with lots of keyboards. The second, third and fourth albums are more progressive. The drums are programmed (but they sound awesome!), the guitar work is impressive, the lyrics are depressive and Swano once again manages to impress me with his unique voice. Every instrument was played by Dan himself. Very good record. The follow-ups are even better."

The shadow is born

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 12/05/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1995's The Breathing Shadow is the debut album by Nightingale, a mostly solo project from former Edge of Sanity frontman Dan Swano. Swano built his reputation in the death metal realm, but his less extreme (but just as intense) Nightingale work may be his true legacy. With Nightingale, Swano pulls together elements of progressive rock, gothic rock, metal, and even AOR into a sound that is at once dark and melodic, cold and captivating. Imagine later Paradise Lost or Amorphis crossed with Uriah Heep with a dash of Journey, all held together by Swano's impressive clean vocal style.



I'm not sure if The Breathing Shadow was originally meant to be a one time project like Odyssey or Moontower, or if it was always intended to be an ongoing series of albums based on a central storyline (which to this day I still haven't deciphered), but this is the album that started it all. Musically it's a bit rougher and less focused than later Nightingale releases, but rough or not the album definitely has an overall aura or mood that captures both your attention and imagination. Swano's voice - he sings exclusively in a "clean" style here - is in great shape, and the fact that he handled all of the writing, instruments and production is very impressive.



If your only exposure to Dan Swano's music is from Bloodbath or the early Edge of Sanity albums, you should know that Nightingale is not even remotely a death metal album. If you enjoyed the clean vocals on Crimson, or the more progressive musical style of Moontower, you'll definitely want to check out Nightingale. The Breathing Shadow is the logical place to start, though Alive Again is probably the best overall album.



NOTE: If you can find it, there is a limited edition Nightingale album called Nightfall Overture where Swano and company re-record some of these songs as well as tracks from other Nightingale albums. The difference, especially on tracks from The Breathing Shadow, is quite noticeable.

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