Hartmann: Shadows and Silhouettes

Oliver Hartmann probably remains best known as part of Avantasia, Rock Meets Classic, and as mastermind of the successful Pink Floyd Tribute Echoes, and Shadows & Silhouettes is the first release under the Hartmann banner for four years. The album has been co-produced again by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Edguy, Kamelot, Beyond The Black, etc.) and mixed/mastered at Gate Studios Wolfsburg/Germany. Line-up: Oliver Hartmann (guitar/vocals), Mario Reck (guitar), Armin Donderer (bass), Markus Kullmann (drums), Jimmy Kresic (add. Keys.)

The strength of Shadows and Silhouettes is also its weakness, namely that the album is frontloaded with all the good stuff. For instance, "Irresistible" begins with in a similar way to Joey Tempest's solo effort Forgiven and is not dissimilar in the laid back vibe. This is followed by "High on You" which isn't a Survivor cover but is an equally upbeat, classy piece of melodic rock – again with a pretty laid back atmosphere. One of the vital parts of the mix is Hartmann's voice which is never less than commanding as on the first single "When Your Mama Was a Hippie" which is very poppy indeed. The album falls away sharply after the ballad "Jaded Heart" and the excellent "Amazing" but there is definitely enough quality in the first half of the album to warrant attention. Be aware, however, that Shadows and Silhouettes is in no way metal and possibly only on the very edge of rock and therefore is not necessarily what some may be expecting.

Track Listing:
1. Irresistible
2. High on You
3. Glow
4. When Your Mama Was a Hippie
5. Jaded Heart
6. Amazing
7. Still the Same
8. I Would Murder for You
9. The letting go
10. Too Good to be True
11. Shadow in my Eyes
12. Last Goodbye
Bonus track digital: Soul Asylum

Added: September 8th 2016
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2219
Language: english

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