Review by JD on December 13, 2008.

Humm... this Finnish band calls themselves ‘Hybrid Metal’, rather than taking the more pedestrian pigeonholing of a name to describe themselves to the thrashing masses around the world. I have to say, that term does describe them to a tee, as they expand what it is that Metal in all of it’s parts are.

Shade Empire is a perfect example of a band taking as pool of many different influences, and coming out something that is amazingly fresh, yet unmistakably brutal as well. They take everything here... from Symphonic Cradle of Filth to almost a lethally heavy version of Nightwish, old school thrash( in a way) to even adding in Classic Metal as well. They simply gather it all together, and came out with a outright gem of an album that must be heard, to believe.

The band seems to know exactly what the music needed, and never gave too much or too little while just delivering the perfect sort of sonic attack. A perfect stepping stone for (dare I say) to the next level of metal? I say that Shade Empire very well shows the wonderful progression of metal. Just one listen to the song ‘Adam and Eve’ and you will become a Shade Empire backer in no time. The whole album is just that great, and just begs to be heard... and to be felt as well.

Totally brutal as they are also damned intriguing, this band must be heard by the metal masses, and sent forward to conquer out little bluish green planet. Join the Shade Empire... may the first parliament of Hybrid Metal reign over us withe their power... and do it for a very long time.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.6 out of 10