Shining Star
Enter Eternity

March 2006
Released: 2006, Nightmare Records
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Rick

When Lance King left Balance of Power a few years back Shining Star was where he was going to hang his metal hat. With the world becoming a much smaller place because of the internet and other forms of communication its not surprising the King would find a band in Brazil where he could ply his awesome melodic vocal talent. The man behind Shining Star is Brazilian guitar virtuoso Fabio Rocha and he and King make a formidable team.



On this release Shining Star shows a penchant for melodic metal that leans often in a progressive direction. The addition of King instantly brings a vocal heavyweight into the fold and his versatility can be heard throughout the disc. “From Now On” has a distinct Yngwie Malmsteen feel with Rocha showing that he is up to the task of matching King’s vocals with some great guitar work. “Insanity” is amore plodding progressive type of track that really gives King a chance to shine. One of the catchier tracks on the CD is “Insomnia”. It is on this track that Shining Stars melodic side shines through loud and clear. With many bands today seeming to bring in an 80s influence the aforementioned track and also “Never Too Late” seem to Shining Stars contribution to the new 80s revival. “Never too Late” and “Lady of the Night” are the ballads of the CD with “Lady of the Night” containing some of the most emotional guitar work on the CD from Rocha. His technical prowess cannot be questioned but a track like this shows that he can really bring his playing to the next level and show his emotions through his music.



This CD took a few spins to digest. I don’t know why but it didn’t click right away. I am glad that I took the time to give it a few more listens because it is an outstanding disc. Kings song writing style meshes perfectly with Rocha and the final product is a CD that stands up to repeated listens. Shining Star deliver melodic metal with hints of progmetal and vocals that stand up to anything in the game right now.

Shining Star
Enter Eternity

April 2006
Released: 2005, Nightmare Records
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Waspman

Another Nightmare Records album, another album with Lance King on vocals. I swear, this guy is in more bands than Steve DiGiorgio! Seriously, that’s two albums this month with him, and another one coming next month (hmm, which one???). It’s a good thing his vocals are damn good! Anyway, Shining Star is actually the brainchild of Brazilian guitarist Fabio Rocha, who has thus far released 5 CDs on his own, as well as one other Shining Star album (2000’s FATAL MISTAKE). Apparently the band had issues with their Brazilian records company that held up the release of new material, so it has taken them almost five years to get their sophomore disc released.

Start to finish, ENTER ETERNIRY is melodic metal with hints of progressive and power metal. Think late ‘80s Yngwie Malmsteen or early Kamelot. Featuring the guitar histrionics of Rocha and the powerful vocals of King, the album whips along from one catchy riff to the next, even cheesing it up for the totally ‘80s-sounding “Dangerous Game”. “Love is a gaaaaaaammme, daaaangerous gaaamme!” Sorry…it’s catchy.

Both Rocha and keyboardist Dinho Zampier can shred it with the best of them, adding some appreciated fireworks to the admittedly cliché proceedings. Credit to Lance King too, as his vocals on this album are slightly different from his other bands. They are higher and more melodic. It helps distinguish his many projects that he can alter his voice like that and still maintain his unique sound.

After all, all Nightmare Records seems to release nothing but quality albums, and Shining Star is no different. ENTER ETERNITY is not the most original album but it is an enjoyable listen for fans of melodic metal with a classic sound.