Shiva
The Curse of the Gift

Release date: October 25th 2006
Label: MTM Music
Provided by: Zink Music
Distribution: NL Distribution
Website: www.shivahardrock.com

Style:
Progressive Metal

Rating: 72/100
Cover artwork rating: 63/100
Reviewed by: The Jack

Date: November 8th 2006

It would be a lie to call myself a fan of progressive music but when the melody lines stay up-front and in-your-face I feel compelled to keep listening.  

And that’s the exact influence SHIVA has on me…  

The style of this band is a blend of Melo-Death guitar playing and symphonic/orchestral Prog. Metal ending up sounding pretty good, contrary to my normal conception of this kind of music!  

The musical universe created by Mats Edström is rather unique, including many tempo changes and varying moods in each song, yet remaining true to a Metal recipe. The inclusion of keyboards and especially the female vocals of Anette Johansson seem to enhance the listener-experience.  

Fans of lighter NIGHTWISH or perhaps EVANESCENCE would probably find this album to be really interesting.  

Anyway, being a non-fan of the genre I’m actually pretty captured by this solidly produced and predominantly succesful album!