A Thousand Shields - Portrait download free

North Carolina has long boasted a vibrant and diverse metal scene, with exciting new bands across several sub-genres breaking through to the larger metal world. One of the latest, and perhaps most interesting, bands to emerge from the NC scene is Greensboro-based A Thousand Shields, a progressive metal band that released their second album, entitled Portrait, in 2010.These days the term “progressive metal” can mean anything, from your basic Dream Theater clone (which is anything but progressive) to the truly avant-garde. A Thousand Shields appears quite determined to earn the progressive label, both in terms of musicianship as well as forward-thinking, innovative songwriting. There really isn’t any band you can point to and say “they sound like this,” which is a point in their favor. That said, there are definitely moments where you’re reminded of bands as far reaching as Porcupine Tree, Tool, Between the Buried and Me, Rush, Believer and, yes, Dream Theater.Portrait has the expected (but no less impressive for it) high degree of technically proficient musicianship and lengthy songs (three clearing the nine-minute mark, one of which is the 14-minute closer), but it takes more than that to stand out in a crowded progressive metal field, and A Thousand Shields seems well aware of that. The band seems to have paid as much attention to the overall songwriting as they have to their instrumental performances, which is a definite plus. You’re going to find parts where each member’s musicianship stands out in particular, but it’s always within the greater context of the song and album, not as a mere showcase for self-indulgent solos. The vocals also deserve mention, as Josiah Baker, who sounds more than a little bit like Maynard James Keenan, brings a tremendous sense of emotion and spirit, which really helps drive home each song. It also helps that A Thousand Shields never loses sight of the fact that they’re a metal band, bringing the required heaviness, power and speed when the songs call for it.The only real drawback is that the production on Portrait, while perhaps adequate for an unsigned band at this early career stage is simply not the equal of these songs. It’s an obstacle that affects the way the album resonates with the listener, and you can’t help but wonder what this album would have sounded like in the hands of someone like Jens Bogren.It is worth mentioning that the lyrics to these songs appear to be – at least to some degree – Christian in nature. It’s never over the top, but it is noticeable, which may be a deal-breaker for some listeners. By and large though, the band lets the music do the talking.Production issues aside, Portrait is a very strong album from a band that’s poised to do great things. Fans of intelligent and powerful progressive metal, especially those with an open mind and a willingness to take a chance on a new band, would do well to give A Thousand Shields a listen.