Welcome to another edition of Metal Mondays! This week we’re going back to the 90s progressive metal scene to highlight Tyranny, the 1998 release by Pennsylvania’s Shadow Gallery.

I first heard of Shadow Gallery after a friend and fellow guitarist got a hold of their previous album Carved In Stone not long after it came out in the mid 90s. With limited access to new music pre-internet in our small town that had just one record store in the mall, an album like Carved In Stone felt like a monumental discovery.

Tyranny builds on that album’s prog foundations with even stronger songwriting and musicianship. The first four tracks are absolute bangers, especially “War For Sale” which stands out as my favorite. The syncopated riffs, sweeping keyboards, and soaring vocals on these opening songs scratch that itch for technical, melodic prog metal.

The middle section admittedly slows down for me, perhaps because Tyranny seems to be a concept album that I’ve never fully immersed myself in lyrically. But the album picks back up with “I Believe,” which reminds me of both Dream Theater and Queensryche in how it balances prog exploration with anthemic melodies.

Shadow Gallery were signed to Magna Carta Records, the prog-focused label run by famed producer Mike Varney. Throughout the 90s, Magna Carta built an impressive roster of prog metal bands like Shadow Gallery. Varney also worked with established talents like James LaBrie of Dream Theater, who collaborated with Magna Carta on solo material separate from DT. As an outlet supporting the resurgence of prog in the 90s metal scene, releases on Magna Carta like Tyranny were instrumental in showcasing the technical skills of bands like Shadow Gallery for this emerging genre.

Operating solely as a studio band until 2010 likely hindered Shadow Gallery’s wider success during their early years. However, touring extensively may not have made much difference given the niche status of progressive metal in the 90s, especially in the United States. While groups like Dream Theater built followings overseas, the prog metal fanbase was still limited at home. Had they toured more internationally, particularly in countries like Japan with an existing appreciation for the genre, Shadow Gallery may have found greater recognition.

Regardless of their limited touring, Tyranny stands as a phenomenal prog metal album that deserved more acclaim. I admittedly did not follow Shadow Gallery closely after this record. But going back now, Tyranny remains an impressive showcase of their technical skills and songwriting. For any metal fan, this album is a must-hear chapter in the prog metal scene of the 90s.

Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand on any part of the post! Otherwise I think this covers the key details on this overlooked prog metal album.