Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Crescent Shield
Title
The Stars of Never Seen
Type
LP/EP
Company
Cruz Del Sur
YOR
2009
Style
Progressive
6/16/2009 - Review by: Raising Iron

Crescent Shield
The Stars of Never Seen

Company: Cruz Del Sur Music
Release: 2009
Genre: Progressive
Reviewer: Raising Iron

  • A stellar sophomore achievement



  • After receiving high praise for their debut, LA's Crescent Shield has returned with a stellar sophomore achievement called The Stars of Never Seen. Keeping the lineup intact lends to the improved cohesion and overall excellent writing found within.

    Rooted in traditional metal trajectories, the band has injected an aura of progressive flairs into the mix this time around, expanding the seriousness with which the guys (and gal) seek to display. For comparative sakes, Jag Panzer jumps immediately to mind; classy, high-minded writing with powerful, reverberating baritones (in this case via vocalist Michael Grant), all gravitated in a singular mission of propelling true heavy metal's current revival further into the upper stratosphere. You'd be hard pressed to find a clunker here, though the density of the album necessitates a few spins to completely sink in. Highlights of the disc would be "Temple of the Empty", with its soaring melody lines contrasted with sparse, clean guitars interjected periodically; "My Anger", whose slightly thrashed and balls-out speed will have head-bangers bobbing relentlessly; and closer "Lifespan", which, revolving around a slight, upbeat, almost pop-metal riff, will leave a smile on your face upon the album's completion.

    Finding themselves stationed aboard the highly laudable Cruz Del Sur label, Crescent Shield are poised to take to the stars never seen at warp speed 9. So jump aboard, don your headphones, sit back, and watch the universe whisk by while listening to this cosmic soundtrack.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      4 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: CRESCENT SHIELD
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    The Last of My Kind
    2007
    Cruz Del Sur
    Etiam9/14/2007
    3
    The Stars of Never Seen
    2009
    Cruz Del Sur
    Raising Iron6/16/2009
    4

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: CRESCENT SHIELD
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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