Edgar Allan Poe, one of the most important American Poets is the main inspiration for this band from Switzerland, their self financed debut is lyrically an homage to the dark lord of witchcraft and dark tales. The band has worked several years on this release and the end product are 8 songs plus bonus track (‘Those Were The Days’) based on poems from E.A Poe. The design of the CD and the booklet are honestly speaking more art than pure CD Inlay and really passionate to bring the dark lyrics in line with the design. The band has chosen the term “Dark Metal” but if you imagine a cross reference to bands like BETHLEHEM the term is not really matching. The album is quite enjoyable with a good glass of red wine and some candles especially the song ‘The City In The Sea’ is a small hit but unfortunately is the whole album lacking a big portion of atmosphere. Think that if you use Poe’s poems for example ‘Annabel Lee’ which is based on the feelings a lover feel when the dearest on gods planets has left him the aggressive Black Metal plus added keys is not matching the lyrics. Think that if you work so hard to use these lyrics you missed something if the music is not matching the mood of your lyrics. The album is still more than an average release and due the Metal friendly price of 10,- € worth a try. www.shadowthrone.de, www.myspace.com/shadowthroned