• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

May 2024

• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

April 2024

• War Grave: War Grave EP
• Six By Six: Beyond Shadowland
• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

[ More Music Reviews ]

Six By Six: Beyond Shadowland

Melodic Progressive Rock

5.0/5.0

Website Facebook X Instagram
InsideOut Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 24.04.2024 | Released: 26.04.2024

Six years after the success of their self-titled debut album, Multi-national trio Six By Six returns with their second album, Beyond Shadowland. The band, once again, feature guitarist Ian Crichton (Saga), drummer Nigel Glockler (Saxon), and Robert Berry (3, All 41, 3.2, Alliance, et al) on vocals, bass, keyboards, and song arrangements.

Six By Six

Essentially, a classic power trio, Six By Six offers listeners guitar-driven progressive rock. Expanding upon this, most arrangements turn upon Crichton's unique and creative guitar work, twists in tempo and signatures, Glockler's powerful drumming, and Berry' technical yet accessible arrangements. You can read more about the album's songs in this PDF document.

Considering the album and songs within, the first and most basic observation is a simple one. Every song across Beyond Shadowland is unique, creative, and different. Which means they require greater investigation which comes from several spins. Are the elements that bind them together? No doubt. The aforementioned spry guitar chops from Crichton, but also the song melody and rock rhythm groove. One might also suggest that many songs turn on a heavier groove like Spectre, Titans, Arms Of A Word, or Can't Live Like This.

Alternatively Wren is also heavy in parts, yet a bouncy groove and softer segue and outro featuring voice with acoustic guitar and piano. Only You Can Decide turns entirely upon voice and acoustic guitar. Later, Sympathise introduces more speed for a fast heavy rocker which is both melodic and catchy. I'll add no more spoilers. Suffice to say, and said earlier, Beyond Shadowland deserves several spins and intentional listening to enjoy the creativity and nuances within each song.

All said, with Beyond Shadowland Six By Six offers fans of progressive rock a well-crafted, expertly executed, and remarkably original album of technical, yet immensely accessible, melodic progressive rock. Quite recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

With Beyond Shadowland Six By Six offers fans of progressive rock a well-crafted, expertly executed, and remarkably original album of technical, yet immensely accessible, melodic progressive rock. Quite recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album in your favorite format.

Alphabetical Index

Next year, American metal band Riot V, founded by the late guitarist Mark Reale (d. 2012), will celebrate their 50th anniversary in the metal business. Though we haven't had a new studio album from the band ... [ Read More ]

• Views: 15,361
• Users: 3,920
• Views Per Users: 3.92
• Event Count: 45,224
• Sessions: 8,917
• Engaged Sessions: 4,964
• Engagement Rate: 55.67%

Source: Google Analytics