French heavy metal band Sins of Shadows set to release their third album – The Last Frontier – on 5 May 2026.
Guitarist Nicolas Jacon messaged me to ask if I’d be interested in reviewing the album and kindly sent it to me along with some background information about the band. Being the type of chap keen to check out a new (to me) band, I dived in…..
Before giving The Last Frontier an initial listen I read from the bio file that Sins of Shadows were formed in 2013. They released a couple of EPs followed by a debut album – The Master’s Way – in 2018 and a second – Imperium – 2020.
As to their musical style and influences, the blurb said that musically they “draw from the energy of the NWOBHM (Iron Maiden, Saxon), the ambition of progressive and power metal (Symphony X, Iced Earth), or heavier bands like Megadeth or Testament. ….and the twin-guitar harmonies, echoing Thin Lizzy, bring a touch of warmth and nostalgia to a sound that remains both personal and timeless.”
Encouraged by the references to good old NWOBHM and liking Symphony X (well, up to and including The Odyssey) I gave The Last Frontier that first listen and a good number of subsequent listens prior to this review as Nicolas and his bandmates have a very fine album here.
The aforementioned influences are all there. It is well composed and performed heavy metal with a slight progressive metal leaning.
It’s nicely paced with the guitars punching the riffs and alternating with and complimenting each other when soloing. The solos are concise and effective without overstating their welcome.
The drumming is nice and crisp with the “galloping” bass being vintage NWOBHM. The vocals are restrained yet powerful and a sense of melody.
The Void, The Last Frontier and Walls of Past form a tasty opening trio of songs throwing in the punchy riffs and those guitar harmonies.
Tell Me Why is a bit more akin to melodic metal with a nice hook and chorus. Very catchy. Here’s the video:
Prologue provides a short acoustic-based instrumental interlude.
Then coming in hard is As Darkness Falls. Probably the heaviest track on the album. Fast, big cutting riff as it spits along powerfully with the flying solos too. Glorious. As is The End of the Road which follows in similar style.
Another short instrumental – One Last Journey – closes the album in some style. A moody guitar plays for a minute or so before the crushing second section then the gentle lead-out.
I’m liking The Last Frontier a lot. The combination of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the traditional heavy/power/progressive metal influences all make for an enjoyable album with much promise. Recommended.
The release date is scheduled for 5 May 2026. Available on the Sins of Shadows BandCamp page for pre-ordering.
https://sinsofshadows.bandcamp.com
Or the whole thing if you see this after 5 May.
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