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Devon Graves has a career in progressive metal going back nearly two decades as the frontperson for cult acts Psychotic Waltz (under his real name, Buddy Lackey) and Dead Soul Tribe. The Shadow Theory is his latest venture, a gang of prog metal luminaries from across the globe. Backing Graves here are members of Sweden’s Pain of Salvation, England’s Threshold and Germany’s Complex 7, all in service to a story of one decadent rock star’s nightmares and the ghost that haunts them. The narrative may or may not mean anything (though with the lead character being a musician, it’s pretty obvious Graves has some issues to work out), but it’s the power, craft and emotional heft of “Selebrate [sic],” “Sleepwalking” and “Ghostride” that hold the most interest. Guitarist Arne Schuppner shows equal facility with acoustic delicacy and power chord crunch, and Graves runs from contemplative to raging at the microphone. As with most concept albums, the tale is less important than the telling, and it’s far easier to simply enjoy the band’s dynamic arrangements and dramatic melodies than to follow the plot.
http://www.the-shadow-theory.com
http://www.insideout.de
