Shino - Transition

Shino’s (aka. Aliaksandr Kavaliou) fourth release is a compilation album featuring some of his older songs as well as brand new compositions performed entirely by himself, taking us into a deep and sad gothic fairytale where feelings of love and suicide are flerting with each other.
‘Transition’  is a product of the melancholy of gothic music performed acoustically, a very deep album that is full of stories and emotions. It consists of everything that Shino is known for in his previous releases plus more, making sure that the album will be loved by older fans as well as new. It’s totally stripped down music, with only an acoustic guitar leading the way through the melancholic passages of Aliaksandr’s mind questioning life and love in generall. A huge Johnny Cash influence is spottable especially in Aliaksandr’s voice which stays low and serious, expressing all the pain he feels with passion and pessimism. The songs are short and atmospheric and will definitely be embraced by the lovers of the genre, the guitar’s role is almost accompanying with the vocals being the main ‘instrument’  but it’s there, distinct and played with feeling.

The album opener ‘XXX’  leads you to the concept of the album immediately with first lyric ‘Die, in my arms again’ giving away the Vampiric element which is present throughout the album (note:some other songtitles are Vampires Love, For My Little Vamp etc.).  However, one may consider this self-destructive feel that runs the album, to be overused and dated as this conception is found in almost all songs. The two new songs are ‘’Melancholia’’ and ‘’Fall Days’’ which make no big difference from the other songs on the album although they are new. The album also contains the guitar version of ‘’My Mistress’’ and a new rendition of the song ‘’Schlaflied’ which ends the album rather strange. The production is very good, warm and simple yet  atmospheric and vivid. Aliaksandr’s heartfelt vocals are fitting nicely to the songs, singing with great passion although they bare a great resemblance to Johnny Cash which is not necessarily a bad thing. Lastly, I’d like to add that ‘Transition’ will be liked by admirers of the genre but most people may find it a little monotonous especially at the end (21 mid-tempo acoustic songs are quite a number), but all in all it’s great acoustic record which all you lost lovers out there will relate to it.

Standout tracks: Die During Life, Still Me, My Mistress
Also Check: Shino: Bloody Salvation, Johnny Cash 

tracklist:
XXX
Vampires Love
A Song For Pain
Dying During Life
Suicide
Taolin Tear
Guardian
Peri    
Last Storm   
Still Me
For My Little Vamp
Winter Flowers
Belief
Something Wrong
The Courage Song
Ich weiss es nicht
Molitwa
Melancholia
My Mistress
Fall Days
Schlaflied     

7/10  Lefteris K.