Forbidden Seed released its new, fourth album some days ago, and it is the second part of the “Shadow of the Crow” concept. “In Shadows Deep”, flowing in the style of the legendary bands of the American power metal genre, is even better than its predecessor (“On Feathered Wings”). It is a soulful and sophisticated power metal album that should be praised for its inspired, delicate compositions and its captivating melodies. Anyone who has heard Forbidden Seed’s previous album knows more or less what to expect. Even so, they will still be surprised by the abundance of strong, interesting ideas that characterize the tracks of “In Shadows Deep.” Imagine a more refined and progressive version of Iced Earth and you will get an idea of what we are dealing with here. That said, Forbidden Seed are by no means just another Iced Earth clone. On the contrary, the Thessaloniki-based band injects its own personal elements into the formula popularized by Jon Schaffer and Matt Barlow. For instance, Forbidden Seed make strong use of keyboards and complex arrangements—features more commonly associated with progressive metal bands. “In Shadows Deep” is also marked by a pronounced atmosphere that is dark and melancholic without descending into total bleakness; instead, the veil allows a glimmer of hope and optimism to shine through. In this way, Forbidden Seed deliver a fully realized work rich in emotion, picking up where “On Feathered Wings” left off and pushing even further. This album truly deserves to be experienced as a story, embarking the listener on a long, immersive sonic journey that will leave them filled with lasting impressions.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
