Band : Crescent Shield
Album title : The Stars of Never Seen
Label : Cruz Del Sur Music
Distribution : Sonic Rendezvous
Release Date : 08/05/2009 (most of  Europe, 11/05/2009 UK, 02/06/2009 USA/Canada)
Release : CD

This is the second album by Crescent Shield, who'm I'd never heard of before.  But it was a very pleasant surprise, especially if you're fan of melodic heavy metal "80-ies" style.  Somewhere along the line they even remind me of Mercyful Fate at the beginning of their career. You can even discern some other influences while listening, first in mind comes Manowar, although Crescent Shield are not as heavy nor bombastic as Manowar, but also some Fates Warning, Priest and even Maiden.

Even if the vocals of  Michael Grant seem somewhat influenced by  those of  Mercyful Fate or King Diamond, I do think he puts out a better performance, because, unlike King Diamond did after a few albums, by mostly singing in the high pitched tones, Michael does not fall into the same pit.  He kicks and screams, but also sings in a more normal way.

If  they continue making albums like these, a great future could lay ahead of this band.

91/100

Erik Morren.