During “The White Shaded Lie”, Stonegard show their ability in creating a compelling and full track that can even approach the six minute mark without tiring listeners in the slightest. While most of the songs on “Arrows” approach music a certain way, a track like “Triggerfinger” shows that Stonegard is a band in the current period. This act could rip and shred alongside Godsmack while still getting the sales of that act; Stonegard is intense, to say the least. The guitar lines that are increasing and decreasing during “Darkest Hour” are like when someone runs their fingernails down your back; there are chills aplenty to be had.
The only complaint that one could create against Stonegard’s work on “Arrows” is that the album is much too short. The ten songs on the disc barely crap the thirty-five minute mark, and by the time that “Darkest Hour” finishes up, individuals are already ready for another dose of Stonegard. However, this is far from the band’s fault, and “Arrows” provides a perfect introduction to one of the more impressive, newer metal acts out on the market. There is little doubt that Stonegard can break it big, and that the music created by the band will be on the radio for long after the band crumbles to dust. The music is fun, it is intricate, and it is what individuals will be listening to for a long time. I hope to hear more from Stonegard in the future; there is nothing else besides create music that they have to do for this next album.
Top Tracks: Darkest Hour, Hunter
Rating: 7.1/10
[JMcQ]
Stonegard – Arrows / Candlelight / 10 Tracks / http://www.stonegard.org / http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com /