h33t - Crescent Shield - 2009 - The Stars Of Never Seen [rockbox]

Heavy/power metal from USA, latest full-length album released in 2009.

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Crescent Shield’s debut album “The Last of my Kind” was unexpectedly lauded by fans and the global metal press alike. The band was truly gratified and honored by the praise. More importantly, they were energized to know there was still an audience of passionate metalheads that appreciated new melodic heavy metal in the style and spirit of 80s legends like Mercyful Fate, Manowar, Fates Warning, and of course Priest and Maiden. The release garnered the band such attention to warrant a coveted spot on Germany’s hallowed Keep it True metal festival. KIT was everything the band hoped for as they played alongside friends and respected bands such as Helstar, Jag Panzer, and Omen.

Riding high off the events of 2007, Crescent Shield’s songwriting team of Dan DeLucie (guitar) and Michael Grant (vocals) set out forge their next true metal opus. This time out the band’s writing was more focused, and epic but every bit as metal. Their second release is a more progressive, thrashier, speedier affair with a thematic approach. Although firmly entrenched in the sound of classic melodic metal, the band strove to avoid treading the same ground as their previous album and rehashing the riffs and melodies of past acts. The thought-provoking title, “The Stars of Never Seen”, hints at something never before experienced and encompasses the album’s concept. The songs deal with journeys of discovery: from mundane tales of personal revelation (“10,000 Midnights Ago”, “Lifespan”) and emotional exploration (“My Anger” & “Temple of the Empty”) to epic tales of space travel (“The Grand Horizon”) and humankind’s resurgence after global annihilation (“Tides of Fire”). These mighty musical explorations culminate in the 9 and a half minute “The Endurance” which tells the tale of Ernest Shakleton’s doomed 1914 expedition to cross the frozen continent of Antarctica.

As with their debut, Crescent Shield has eschewed sterile modern production techniques and pursued a classic, organic sound on their latest recording. The rhythm section of Craig Anderson (drums) and Melanie Sisneros (bass) rose to the occasion delivering impassioned performances that aren’t rendered lifeless by excessive digital editing. To help attain their vision and increase the quality and authenticity of “The Stars of Never Seen”, the band employed the talents of highly regarded veteran metal producer/engineer Bill Metoyer. Dan was especially thrilled to finally work with Bill again, ten years since Destiny’s End’s debut. Once again the band was lucky enough to have the services of artist Gerry Alanguilan to create the album art. And once again Gerry has come up with a winning piece that captures the dark tone and lofty scope of this record. Crescent Shield is back with a genuine metal album of great magnitude and intensity. Though inspired songwriting, quality musicianship, and true metal spirit, Crescent Shield will send fists in the air around the world.

Crescent Shield Official Website

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As a stormy decade starts to fade away, another comes in the form of mystery. We do not know where we are heading but we dare to find out. Therefore, we give you…THE STARS OF NEVER SEEN!! Come and take a few journeys through time and new distances. This new offering of Metal is darker, heavier and more progressive than last time, yet retains the classic Crescent Shield sound. Here are some fun thoughts on these new songs. Enjoy!

UNDER COVER OF SHADOWS
The album begins not with a “burst out of the gates” type song, but rather with a twisty, mysterious creature emerging from an evil mist. Then, mounting and riding a winged beast, charging into a war of unseen plagues of deception and death. Metal is thy name under myriad guises and we show you many in this song. The riffs are in the style of vintage DeLucie not heard since his “Secret Wisdom” days. We leave you to your own devices to unravel the true meaning of this song. Two notable sections are the galloping verses and the haunting “Witch Dance.” You can hide and shiver….or lift the cover of shadows. The choice is yours!

THE GRAND HORIZON
The ultimate science fiction heavy metal adventure. Fans of Destiny’s End will love this speed filled, headbanger’s delight. Loaded with high energy guitars, drums and Valkerie-like vocals, this tells the story of a man fed up with this world and seeks “The stars of Never Seen,” - what lies beyond the known universe. He builds “A tear of light;” a craft constructed of pure energy, which allows him to travel thousands of times the speed of light. He does not know what lies ahead, but still races forth and encounters many strange worlds and experiences. It’s classic metal seasoned with elements of Voivod, Dio and completed by Dan’s signature space travel solo! This would make a great video (if we could do one that would allow the Hollywood-budget needed for it!)

TIDES OF FIRE
As the embers of “The Grand Horizon” fade, another dark tale emerges. Solely written by Dan DeLucie, this thoughtful song is based on the novel “A Canticle for Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller Jr. It is the story of what happens when a civilization experiences a worldly holocaust and then gets stuck in a primitive state. This is due to the fear of new advancements leading to more future Armageddon. It is a sad story and a sad song. Nevertheless, it is filled with beautiful melodies, lyrics and memorable textures. Many guitars sing the themes and the rich vocals carry the story to its bitter conclusion.

10,000 MIDNIGHTS AGO
Once in Vancouver, Canada, I was overwhelmed by the grey sadness of the sea and murky sky in contrast with the vibrant city and breathtaking mountains. One night, I looked up and was greeted by a startlingly crystal clear and starlit night. Feelings of sadness and hope bonded together to inspire the chorus and bridge riffs. As for the subject, I started to think back 30 years or so (10,000 midnights…it’s a better title!) and remembered how the music I love affected me when I first heard it. To this day, I still have child like dreams and hopes but have also gotten to know the harsh realities of life. While this song remains constant in its tone and tempo, the real layers are found in how the lyrics and vocal melodies dance to the subtle guitars and drum nuances. It is my most personal song on the record and we hope you peer inside and look back as well.

TEMPLE OF THE EMPTY
I had trouble with this one when we were doing the demo sessions for this album. Dan, Melanie and Craig all loved it, but I was frustrated. Now, after a year of reworking the vocals, lyrics and overall structure, I find it to be one of the most fascinating and satisfying songs on the record (especially the striking mandolin sequence). Dan’s brilliant and haunting verse riffs challenged my vocal limits. The choruses are drenched in emotion exemplified by Melanie’s killer bass work. Fun fact…the bridge was once a stand-alone riff arranged by all four of us during our second ever rehearsal seven years ago! Lyrically, the song explores passive aggressiveness and how it can whittle us down to empty hollow shells. More horrible is to realize that too many of people in the world already exist in this state of mind. The song ends with one of the most heartfelt and mournful guitar solos ever.

MY ANGER
The outlaw of the album. This song was actually written during the “Last of My Kind” sessions. It’s probably the most straight-ahead song. Writing-wise we broke our own rules. The vocals goes along with the riff, words are frequently repeated and so on. It did not fit the character of LOMK so we put it on this record due to its sinister vibe. To be clear about it’s lyrical content… I’m not an angry or hateful person. This song is not about prejudice, hate or abuse or anything those weirdo Nazi skinhead losers like to shout about. This is a song about a good person who has been constantly wronged. It’s about passive aggressiveness and its end result. (In a way it’s a fitting companion to “Temple of the Empty”) These are some of my oldest lyrics. Some phrases were written when I was 12 years old. I had to put up with bully nonsense cuz of the Kiss and Maiden shirts I wore. It’s a classic subject I thought I would revisit. Now go thrash out!

THE BELLMAN
This is probably our most unusual song so far. The story is about the ghost of a mate, a sailor on a ship that sank due to the arrogance of the crew. They thought that standard practices in navigation were beneath them and that they were above the elements. The Bellman is now cursed and trapped in a port of call in the early 18th century. The only people who can see and hear him are the young, arrogant sailors destined to die at sea. The Bellman’s warnings of impending doom go unheeded and as the headstrong boys ship out, the last thing they hear is his bell. “It rings the chime of fate.” The song is completely written in a major key and the structure is reminiscent of a fable. The story is told by three characters: the Bellman (B); the young, arrogant sailors (Y); and the narrator (The Chorus – as Shakespeare called his narrator “the chorus” in Henry V). While it has an almost Broadway-ish feel to it, it’s still very METAL!! It is a short number, clocking in at 3:18, and serves as a good precursor to…

THE ENDURANCE
Crescent Shield’s most epic song to date. For years Dan has been fascinated by this story and he built a labyrinth of riffs over a two year period. Although nearly 10 minutes long, it is not overwhelming. Rather, it is a journey that takes you through the story at its most crucial points. Building, bellowing, soaring and retracting, it showcases some of our most intense performances (including masterful drumming by Craig) as well as some of our most quiet moments. I too became fascinated by this true story of the doomed Antarctic expedition led by Ernest Shackleton. Even though he and his crew never make it to the South Pole and the ship is crushed by the ice, the survivors cling to life for two years…It is a true tale of Endurance.

LIFESPAN
Many great Metal albums have epic closing numbers and “Lifespan” is no exception. The subject is as straightforward as it gets. We only have one life…live it well. For when we die, that’s it! However, I have given the lyrics a warning-like twist and a hidden dark message that can only be found before one’s death. This song debuted live at the Keep It True festival in 2008 and received a tremendous response. It’s personally one of my favorites and I think it would make a great “single” if such things exist anymore. This song moves at a breakneck pace and never lets up. The choruses are bold and memorable that lead up to its addicting fade out. Tight performances all around make this a Crescent Shield classic!