Now here is a band that puts quite a bit of b*lls into the progressive metal sound. Take note: I said progressive and not the abbreviated catch phrase. With this movement of more song oriented progressive metal hitting the... more » racks, Shining Star is among bands like Stride and Arc that forge melodic rock with technical tempers. It?s like these guys cross Balance of Power with TNT, while turning the keyboard presence up a notch, pertaining to a straightforward metallic attack rather than coaching out a more elaborate structure that can often cause the listener to get lost. Sophisticated with energetic cuts such as the moody ?From Now On,? the dark ?Insomnia? (which is reminiscent of ?Headless Cross?-era Sabbath), and the synth frenzy of ?Nightmare? where the churning guitar riffs protrude a thick wall of crunch, like a crushing blow to the chest, it is obviously confirmed that power is the main key to the melodic stature on ?Enter Eternity.? There is even balladry with ?Never too Late,? proving that other notions of emotion are conveyed. These guys do more than play out jittery staccatos, numerous key changes, and jam sessions that have the listener looking for the scan button. Shining Star puts the high mark for melodies at the forefront of their sound, shared equally with the guitars, keys, and rhythm section; not to mention that vocalist Lance King fronts the band with a wide range of pipes. So alas, another real progressive metal release has been bestowed upon the masses, a must for those who like their ?back to basics? technical heavy metal.« less
Now here is a band that puts quite a bit of b*lls into the progressive metal sound. Take note: I said progressive and not the abbreviated catch phrase. With this movement of more song oriented progressive metal hitting the racks, Shining Star is among bands like Stride and Arc that forge melodic rock with technical tempers. It?s like these guys cross Balance of Power with TNT, while turning the keyboard presence up a notch, pertaining to a straightforward metallic attack rather than coaching out a more elaborate structure that can often cause the listener to get lost. Sophisticated with energetic cuts such as the moody ?From Now On,? the dark ?Insomnia? (which is reminiscent of ?Headless Cross?-era Sabbath), and the synth frenzy of ?Nightmare? where the churning guitar riffs protrude a thick wall of crunch, like a crushing blow to the chest, it is obviously confirmed that power is the main key to the melodic stature on ?Enter Eternity.? There is even balladry with ?Never too Late,? proving that other notions of emotion are conveyed. These guys do more than play out jittery staccatos, numerous key changes, and jam sessions that have the listener looking for the scan button. Shining Star puts the high mark for melodies at the forefront of their sound, shared equally with the guitars, keys, and rhythm section; not to mention that vocalist Lance King fronts the band with a wide range of pipes. So alas, another real progressive metal release has been bestowed upon the masses, a must for those who like their ?back to basics? technical heavy metal.
Gary Riendeau | Northwest suburban Chicago | 03/08/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This second album from Shining Star--much better than their first one, which could hardly be called "metal"--rocks with a quality melodic metal/borderline power metal sound. Lance King's vocals are, as always, in top form. The production qualities of this album excel and, while most of the songs are straight-up metal, the commercial/harmonic (though still pretty hard) appeal of the song "Never Too Late" bears all the marks of a bona fide hit--were we in the late 1980s. Now, since the mid- to late-80s was the era of greatest metal glory, I find that Shining Star song--and indeed, this entire disc--to be a wonderful reviving of the classic metal sound. Rather than sounding dated, however, Shining Star has delivered a contemporary rendition of the classic metal sound and that makes this a CD very worthy of purchase. Positive, sensible lyrics preside also, making it a must for the level-headed headbanger."
Melodic and Powerful!! Love it all!!
Pj | MN United States | 01/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love all of Lance King's works that I own to date. Anything with his name on it... has got to be absolutely awesome. No disappointments with anything on this CD. Many people who hear it whilst I am driving somewhere or visiting me, say they really like it and ask about it. Every song is put together well, as is anything that Lance has been involved in. It's Melodic and Powerful. You can really pick up the feeling of each song. Lances voice soars, but that's no surprise!! The lyrics are written very well! It totally rocks! I like it when I can kick back and envision in my own mind what the songs play out in my head and this CD is one of them. I am so very glad that this CD was brought to life! There is a good message within... life is an eternity of troubled minds and troubled times. We Fight the evils!! Always try to find a way out or never give up. Seems like the theme is woven here and there throughout the CD. Once you hear Lance, you'll be looking to find anything with his name on it!"
Great melodic metal album!
Elisabeth Gatlin | Lincoln Park, NJ, USA | 01/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Enter Eternity, the second album by Brazilian band Shining Star, features outstanding guitar work from Fabio Rocha and phenomenal vocals from the incredibly gifted singer Lance King. My favorite tracks are "Insomnia" and the beautiful ballad "Never Too Late," both of which I can put on repeat for ages, they're that good! Other standout tracks are "Nightmare" and "Insanity." The whole album is well worth a listen and highly recommended for fans of hard rock and melodic metal!"
Melodic rock is back!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas B. Argo | Mahopac, New York | 10/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shining Star answers the question is 80's metal gone for good.Answer, NOT EVEN CLOSE. This disc is far from dated sounding yet brings the spirit of the great 80's metal back. It has the edge of bands like Savatage and the melody of TNT. Lance King, vocalist of Pyramaze, Avian, and ex- Balance Of Power demonstrates great melody and power on this debut. The songwriting is what melodic fans want and what Prog and Power metal fans will enjoy as well........."
LANCE KING DOES IT YET AGAIN
J. C Cheek | El Paso, Texas United States | 02/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When LANCE KING left BALANCE OF POWER i was devastated, as they were one of my 3 all time favorite metal bands (BALANCE OF POWER, NIGHTWISH, and ROYAL HUNT). But then i heard he had signed with this great Brazilian band called SHINING STAR. OH BOY LANCE will be back on the scene again. But again disappointment, the CD never came, and then LANCE went to PYRAMAZE(AWESOME Band) and they are now his main band. All of a sudden i hear that the HSINING STAR cd that was recorded a few years back will be released in NOV 2005. OH JOY, well i got a copy for CHRISTMAS (AUTOGRAPHED by the man himself LANCE KING) Well, i was not disappointed except for the fact that the CD needed to be longer, it is that good and makes you want more, and more and more. Yes LANCE is my favorite vocalist, and everything he touches is gold. His voice has that ability to take the most mundane and make it great. He sings from his soul, and puts his whole being into every song. Do yourself a favor Order this cd and put it in the player, put on some headphones get a glass of iced tea, and "Enter Eternity", and don't look back."