SHYLOCK
“WELCOME TO ILLUSION”
(Mtm-Music)

Shylock is a quite new band that released its first album back in 1999. The band was welcomed in the hard rock genre as one of the most promising bands of that year. After almost five years the band releases its new album, which is titled “Welcome to Illusion”. Quite smart title as they invite us for about an hour to join them in their illusion and they are not kidding at all!

It’s pretty good to see bands that you do not expect to surprise you so nicely. That’s what happened to me while I was listening to “Welcome To Illusion”. The album exhales so much power, melody and inspiration that is impossible not to please any rock fan. The production is so heavy and strong that is gonna burn the house down!

The album starts with the homonymous ala Bon Jovi track and the party begins. The next song “Closer” is a powerful melodic rocker that has an excellent chorus. “But I Like It” is a fantastic melodious hard rocker and pay attention to the chorus cause you’re gonna sing it all day long! “Darkness” shows a heavier side of the band but the melody is always there. “Middle Of Paradise” is a wonderful melodic rocker, which has a very strong chorus. “Lose You” is the first ballad of the album and will surely touch every lover of life. “World Of The Lonely” has a great heavy riff and for sure will force you to bang your head. Another tremendous song! “Late Night Show” is the second ballad of the album and it is rather atmospheric and moody. The chorus is superb and will haunt you in your sleep! “Tomorrow” is a gorgeous melodic song. We go on with catchy rocker “Guilty” with the melodious chorus. “Hard To Hold On” is a heavy melodic song, which has an excellent riff and a great chorus. This song is one of my favorites. The last song “I Will Come Back” of the album is an acoustic one, which is really good. Those were for sure the best tracks of the album and as you will find out “Welcome To Illusion” has fifteen songs! So, no worries here about few songs and especially about few good songs.

If you haven’t “discovered” Shylock yet then never is late to give ‘em a chance cause they truly deserve it. If we do not support the new good bands then this genre will no longer exist. So, if you consider yourself as a fan of good melodic music then Shylock can offer it to you without any doubts. “Welcome To Illusion” is one of the best hard rock albums of this year.

by Thanos Aggelakis 9/10