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Here’s an interesting album from Rockville, Maryland. Burning Shadows are an unsigned Heavy/Power Metal band and Gather, Darkness! is their second full-length album. When I say "Power" don’t be fooled; this is no Symphonic or "flower" Metal album, like Rhapsody or Ancient Bards, despite the fantasy-based lyrics. This is dark Power Metal in the vein of Tad Morose or Mystic Prophecy. The riffs are heavy but not overpowering and the vocals, a half shout/half sung hybrid, while very plain, suit the music perfectly. There are no elves or dragons to be found on Gather, Darkness!, Burning Shadows sticks to warriors, wizards and swords.

What impresses me most about Gather, Darkness! is the quality of the songwriting. I wouldn’t call any of the songs instantly memorable, they are more complex than that, but every time I put on the album I found myself sucked into the story. It got to the point where I’d sit in the parking lot to wait for whatever song was on to end before shutting off the radio. And I’d walk away from the car aggravated that I couldn’t finish the album.

Burning Shadows has been around since 2000 and it is a shame no label has picked them up. Gather, Darkness! is an impressive Heavy/Power Metal album and fans of the aforementioned bands (throw Jag Panzer in the mix, as well) will want to check it out.