Abandoned Souls
Circle of Shadows

May 2006
Released: 2006, Fiend Records
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Celtic Bob

One of the hottest new bands to hit the market comes from London, Ontario. This 4 piece band formed in late 2004 and have since gained a solid fanbase due to their strong original songs and their energetic live shows. They were nominated for 2 London Music Awards this past year.



In the short time the band has been together they have recorded a solid debut disc that draws on their influences. They have some of the heaviness of early Sabbath & Purple while adding in a bit of a modern aspect with hints of NIN and AIC. Singer John Ransom has an incredibly strong voice that is the main attention getter. His singing makes the guitar playing take a back seat. This is no easy task as Derek is an excellent player and lays down some great solos. The voice and guitar playing are the two driving forces for Abandoned Souls and what will make people notice them.



This Ontario based band has a lot of potential. The musicianship is there as is the quality of the recording itself. The only downfall is the songs are not ones that reach out and grab you.