Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Gothic Rock
Label: Napalm Records

Taking a little bit of mainstream rock elements, adding in some dark textures, and having Lisa Johansson add her gorgeous voice to the album, Johan Ericson has created a wonderful album with Shadowgarden’s Ashen.
The great thing about it is that it doesn’t fulfill all of the bigger cliches of most gothic rock, rather taking a different route to arrive at the same destination: songs full of sadness, broken hearts, and lost love, and dripping with genuine emotions.
This album really reminds me of a less metallic sounding Moonspell, or a male-fronted Lacuna Coil, which is great. Both Moonspell and Lacuna Coil I love, so having another band in the same vein and bringing both sounds together makes me a happy reviewer. At times it even reminds me of Johan’s and Lisa’s main project Draconian, but mostly only in passing. The two bands are very different from each other.
If you’re into the gothic rock sounds that Napalm Records have made a living out of, Shadowgarden’s debut Ashen is definitely up your alley.
7.5 out of 10.

Shadowgarden on MySpace.

Genres: Gothic Metal
Label: Napalm Records

Right from the start of the disc I was impressed with the huge sound.
The opener “Core of Life” is a fast as lightning track witha a nice and groovy slower midsection, almost doomy in it’s riffs. Vocally, Sandra Schleret is perfectly exemplifying gothic metal, with a mid to high operatic style.
This continues on into “Twinkling Shadow”, whose first riff will rip your face off with it’s chugging, Maiden-esq gallop. Tom Saxer makes his presence known in this track too, his voice a deep growl.
The choruses all follow classic metal and gothic metal traditions, with a solid riff, soaring vocals, and fist pumping emotion.
Slower gothy tunes are here too, bringing everything back to earth for a nice headbanging session.
And I feel like a fucking broken record here. This part is where I might tell you who this band is perfect for. And here, again, I must simply state: if you’re a fan of pretty much any of the female-fronted bands on Napalm Records, you’ll like this disc. Sirenia, Trail of Tears, and Draconian fans: you’ll feel at home here.
8 out of 10.