Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
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ARTIST: Atkins/May Project
ALBUM: Valley Of Shadows
LABEL: Gonzo Multimedia
SERIAL: HST121CD
YEAR: 2012
SPONSOR: Gonzo Multimedia
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: 
LINEUP: Al Atkins - vocals * Paul May - guitars
TRACK LISTING: 01 Welcome To The Nightmare * 02 No Ordinary Man * 03 Bitter Waters * 04 Enslaved To Love * 05 Stronger Is The Grace * 06 Harder They Fall * 07 Not Ready To Die Today * 08 Messiah (Prelude) * 09 Valley Of Shadows * 10 The Shallowing (Return)
RATING: 
WEBLINKS: www.alatkins.com : www.paulmaymusic.co.uk |
Background
We were caught by surprise when the first Atkins May Project CD 'Serpents Kiss' landed on my doorstep back in 2011. The duo of Al Atkins (formerly of Judas Priest) and guitarist come instrumentalist Paul May seemed like an unlikely union at first, but the combination has gathered steam thanks to the good reception given to that debut album. Al and Paul returned late in 2012 for CD number 2.. 'Valley Of Shadows'. The riffs are still as thick as a fuII head of English beer while the back-beat is as demanding as a plate of full English Breakfast. Definitely an album to consume on a full stomach. There's not too much difference between the two albums, Atkins and May preferring to keep to the same formula.
Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
https://www.mlwz.ceti.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10312&Itemid=26
Atkins May Project is a musical project of former Judas Priest singer - Al Atkins . By the way, is one of the many elements of his work. And what may be the latest "baby" precursor species? It's just ... sparkling! Checks are saying that the shell soaked in his youth, this smacks of old age. Al still holds level. Simply sings "the whole".
The album, entitled "Valley of Shadows" represents the most heavy metal playing. It is the powerful, infernal vocals Ala, a fast pace and are sharp guitar. That instrument supports another project basis Atkins May Project - that Mr. Paul May . Guitars are uncompromising, raw and sharp, fast and furious, as befits a genuine metal band.You can say that wgniatają listener in the chair. Each of the numbers on the plate ahead could be considered a classic in the making, the classic gentlemen playing, sounding at the same time more recently. "Valley of Shadows" is the second joint work of the two men. No change to the golden formula developed in the previous album, "Serpent's Kiss". Atkins and May does not discover new places, do not mix too much, but clearly they push the - attack and straight into battle. The product is designed for fans of metal by far the genre.
Apparently, eccentricity and personality of both men undoubtedly suited to concert and delicious. Atkins May Project - locate, listen and find out what is the truth! Keep it metal!
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Review: ATKINS/MAY: American review
https://www.shakefire.com/reviews/cd/atkins-may-project-valley-of-shadows
>> Atkins May Project: Valley of Shadows (2012)
Submitted by AJ Garcia on Thursday, January 3, 2013 - 11:32PM
Album: Valley of Shadows
Tracks: 10
Type: LP
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Discs: 1
Rating: 3.79 (out of 4.00)
GRADE: B+
The latest release from the band Atkins May Project is my first experience with the band so of course research went into who they are and where they came from. For those not in the know, here is the 411. For those that already know, bear with me.
Alan John (Al) Atkins is probably better known to fans of Judas Priest. Atkins was the founder of the band and the bands original singer/songwriter in the groups infancy. The band was successful but not as widely known as it would later become. Due to this Atkins was forced to take a job to support his family, he was later replaced by the bands better known front man Rob Halford. It was with Halford and Atkin’s contributions as covered by the newly fronted Halford Judas Priest that the band gained its popularity and fame.
Yeas later Atkins attempted a comeback with the band Lion to little fanfare and decided to go solo, creating several well recieved albums. Later, teaming with guitarist Paul May, Atkins began co-creating music under the name Atkins May Project and released the bands first album Serpents Kiss. This album, Valley of Shadows, is the second release from the Atkins May Project.
I’ll be honest, Atkin’s vocal style instantly reminded me of those old metal bands such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, or Quiet Riot. In short, Atkin’s vocal style came off very dated. I had a tough time getting used to the operatic metal style that, for me, died out in the mid 80’s. Still, I trudged on.
As I dove deeper into the album I have to admit that I actually started to like it. Atkin’s vocal efforts on some of the mid to backend stuff reminded me of a very off Tom Waits. His voice is very gravelly and at times infused with a very natural sounding blues style (Atkin’s began his music career in a blues rock outfit). As the album rolled on and everything started to come into focus I really did enjoy the old school guitar work mixed with the hard rock sound that enveloped Atkin’s vocal work. It’s not revolutionary, and at times dips into that 80’s era sound, but it has a current flair to it with a good dose of nostalgia that takes me back to my youth. Over time I can see myself really enjoying this album, when all surprises are out of the figurative bag, but for now this album and I still have some kinks to work out.
For fans of the old school metal era, you probably aren’t going to need to much convincing that this is an album for you. For fans of the hard rock category, once you get passed the first couple of tracks you’ll find the path. Like I said, it takes getting used to the dated bits, but when all is said and done, you’re going to enjoy this album for what it is. Enjoy.
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Review: THIS DUDE REALLY LIKES ATKINS/MAY
Is that the Odd Couple theme I hear in the background? Worlds collide once again – with good results – as The Atkins / May Project returns with a follow-up to their heavenly metal debut.....
Valley of Shadows
Judas Priest founder/vocalist Al Atkins gets together once again with Paul May as what might just be the Odd Couple of Heavy Metal. May plays fiery metal-edged guitar and writes songs from a Christian perspective while Atkins provides signature metal vocals in a gutteral, almost threatening vibrato-laced theatrical delivery. If nothing has changed since the duo's debut album, Atkins makes no claim at being a believer, making this an example of what can happen when two worlds collide – thankfully, the resulting explosion is appropriately musical. This is what classic Metal should sound like: in your face, hard rocking, gut-wrenching stuff. Thanks to the spirituality of the lyrics (most explicitly in the title track: "In the darkness that befalls me / there's a beast I cannot tame / shelter me from evil / I will call upon Your name"), and the occasional instances of harmony guitar lines, think Stryper with a double-dose of testosterone.
Read on..
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Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
https://dmme.net/reviews/reviews53.html#atmay2
Fearing no evil and bearing no burden, an ex-JUDAS PRIEST screamer and a righteous axeman walk the crooked, yet adventurous, path the second time around. The initial congregation of Brummie metal god Atkins and reverend sessioner May proved to be the testing of their chemistry. Fortunately, the punchline our "Serpent's Kiss" review - "the project's next opus will exceed their debut's limitations" - turned out prophetic. Off with the obligatory genre conceptions, the two follow the songs' dictate here and do what the feeling, rather than expectations, suggests.
It's never more obvious than in "Bitter Waters", where the exquisite acoustic guitar sets off the epic beat and the tempered rage of the voice, and in the memorable chorus of "Enslaved To Love". Quite surprising, given that the scene-setter "Welcome To The Nightmare" caters to the singer's core fanbase who'll love this sharp salvo that wrap the vocals in the shiny foil of riffs and hooks, but the progressive sprawl of the eerily atmospheric title cut, preceded with an almost orchestral instrumental "Messiah", opens a new dimension to the duo's talent pool. In the same fashion, "Not Ready To Die" and "Harder They Fall" are sleek slabs of monumental, memorable rock 'n' roll, while "No Ordinary Man" builds a small classic on the arresting blues foundation, and "The Shallowing" may be the best ballad Atkins's ever served up - penned, as are the rest of the songs - by May. A solid statement from the masters of their trade. ****2/3
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Review: ATKINS/MAY: Spanish review
https://www.rafabasa.com/2013/01/04/critica-atkins-may/
Critique of ATKINS MAY PROJECT CD - Valley Of Shadows
JANUARY - 4-2013
ATKINS MAY PROJECT - Valley Of Shadows
Label:
The English singer Allan John Atkins , better known as "Al" Atkins, will always be remembered for being one of the founding members of one of the longest-lived and most successful bands in the history of heavy metal, Judas Priest teachers. As the story of the legendary British group, Atkins was with guitarist KK Downing and bassist Ian Hill, responsible for the creation of Judas, and the author of some of the issues that made the album "Rocka Rolla", which finally Rob Halford singing end because Atkins was forced to leave the band, due to the necessity of having a day job to support his family.Despite having to leave JUDAS PRIEST, Atkins continued linked to the world of music, and formed a new band under the name Lion. Later in the 90s, published some work as a solo artist. Later the singer decided to embark on a new adventure with the collaboration of renowned guitarist and producer Paul May , shaped together in 2011 to "Serpent Kiss", and are now returning to offer this new work under the name of "Valley Of Shadows".
After a first job as his previous "Serpent Kiss", and taking into account the biography of Atkins, it seems clear that the material in this "Valley Of Shadows", must be clearly heavymetalero, but the fact is that the sound of disc is quite strong and contemporary, thanks largely to the work of Paul May has been who is responsible for inspection, even so, one of the weaknesses of the album is the sound so cold and mechanical rhythm.
Entering a little deeper into the musical content of "Valley Of Shadows", the album opens with the powerful "Welcome To My Nightmare", an excellent letter, where the couple Atkins / May, metaleras clearly show their credentials, shaping a quick cut and dynamic riffs backed bodied and full of punch, for which Atkins shows a robust and powerful tones, away from the garish tones, in a record that exudes strength and personality, along with a melodic developments by May's guitar, which will lead to an ending theme rapid and intense development sprinkled with drawings and soloists. With a more conventional pace and drinking directly from more traditional sources of hard rock, and including a little wink "bluesy", the raucous "No Ordinary Man", a compact and resounding halftime, in which we found a Atkins that leverages its most serious tones, claw printing the subject, before May's guitar is responsible for dragging us into a virtuous and extensive solo part.
"Bitter Watters", is considered one of the most extensive cuts from the album, and plunges us into changing atmospheres, from a start featuring acoustic guitars, which will lead to an intermediate development marked by a mechanical rhythm and based repetitive riffs sharp and incisive than be interrupted by the sporadic appearance of acoustic, all framed in the coldness of a rhythm emotionless and that fails to transmit, subtracting much feeling to the subject, resulting in a topic naturally and worked but lacking emotion. Far more inspired, is "Enslaved To Love", a part-time full of intensity with guitars that ooze density and cadence, giving the court a room air, full of melody, in which Paul May, and has introduced multiple effects pedals cut their guitars giving it a very current and the most contemporary approach.
The strength and emphasis of "Stronger Is The Grace" serves as proof that the duo, Atkins / May, also knows getting tough and powerful when needed, and it is here where we can see his most direct and sugarcane, facing a composition in the fast pace that show her more clearly rocker, a subject on which leave out the rhythm changes, the extensive development of guitar and dense atmospheres, to focus on the immediacy and simplicity of a whiplash concise and precise. The aroma English Genuine metal, containing these genuine and catchy guitar melodies, sweat through the pores of the awesome riffs from "Harder They Fall", a funky up tempo, which gradually grows in intensity until it became one of stronger cuts and complete the album, which features a catchy chorus and very marked by the blunt and abrasive end rotunda led by battery.
Guitars with a festive and casual are charged with leading the "Not Ready To Die", a piece that serves as vitalist statement, distilling that ochenteno and funky hard rock, full of melody and force, at half time with a very accomplished and catchy choruses, along with a new exercise in virtuosity of Paul May. Sounds more representative of the NWOBHM, manifest during performance of "Messiah (Prelude)", an instrumental piece right where May's guitar shines remarkably, in a succession of harmonies that will make you remember the first Maiden instrumentally, with these increases in intensity of the rhythm that will be topped by these developments so characteristic of English metal within the late 70s and early 80s.
While in this "Valley Of Shadows", the main characters demonstrates his versatility and seniority when moving through different styles within the rock, facing more than acceptable, issues with metal shield or rockers, the truth is that personally one of the topics that caught my attention on the disc, the title track to the album "Valley Of Shadow", an extended cut, which exceeds eight minutes long, in which the atmosphere relaxed, and guitar May bluesy, give a special air and moving to a composition 'in which Atkins sings masterfully exploiting their rough voice to convey emotion and feeling. Continuing with the relaxed rhythms "The shallowing" is chosen to close the album, a slow piece where environmental and acoustic guitars to speak up again while Atkins, opt for a more relaxed and melodic record, which will serve to put the heading these 10 cuts.
It is always appreciated when musicians with experience and seniority of Atkins, decided to bring out new material, while some of his generation, continue to exploit the vein of his early years, the English singer is shown open when experiment with new sounds and influences, but without ever losing its identity, which is why the union with Paul May I think it was highly beneficial to both. Anyway, just want the anime vocalist to start a band to defend these songs live, because I really think deserves much worth to see live a vocalist who sadly had to get off of Judas, before the destination attract success on the formation of Birmingham.
Tracklist:
- Welcome To The Nightmare
- No Ordinary Man
- Bitter Waters
- Enslaved to Love
- Stronger Is The Grace
- Harder They Fall
- Not Ready to Die
- Messiah (Prelude)
- Valley of Shadows
- The shallowing (Return)
Review: ATKINS/MAY PROJECT PORTUGUESE REVIEW
https://vianocturna2000.blogspot.pt/2012/12/review-valley-of-shadows-atkins-may.html
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Review: Valley Of Shadows (Atkins May Project)
Valley Of Shadows (Atkins May Project)
(2012, Gonzo Multimedia)
Sometimes one gets the feeling that the true essence of heavy metal is disappearing. Not that this means that we do not admire the successive incursions by other sounds or new trends. But, in fact, sometimes feel like listening to a real metal disc, made as send the rules, full of power, speed and melody, booming guitars, voices hoarse and ragged. Well, if you think so, do not waste more time and delight yourself with the new design work that joins the former lead singer of Judas Priest, Al Atkins with guitarist Paul Christian May. Good and bad together? Apparently so! And with great results. Valley Of Shadows succeeds the well received debut Serpent's Kiss and the first two songs immediately put the listener on notice: what is presented here is pure heavy metal, period. Do good. 's Genuine. Forte, loose guitars, superb riffs, fantastic solos and spread a little everywhere. Where there is a little space, Paul May shines! In the duo Bitter Waters soothes, accentuates the melody, feeling loose and let fly, even more, the guitar. Then resume the ridings. Increasingly stronger and faster. Until Messiah comes (Prelude) an instrumental track full of feeling and rhythm in a row Iron Maiden / Judas Priest (incidentally, the names most present throughout the album). By the end are saved two sublime moments: the long Valley Of Shadows, calm, sensual, with a blues feeling and a BRUTAL guitar solo work and The Short Shallowing (Return), also calm, but with clean guitar and create loose a different time from the rest of the album. And the addition of a singer with a voice typically metal with a virtuoso guitarist and full of melodic sensibility, there's a great album, Valley Of Shadows. Absolutely recommended!
Tracklist:
One. Welcome To The Nightmare
2nd. No Ordinary Man
3rd. Bitter Waters
4th. Enslaved To Love
5th. The Grace Is Stronger
6th. Harder They Fall
7th. Not Ready To Die Today
Eight. Messiah (Prelude)
9th. Valley Of Shadows
10. The Shallowing (Return)
Line-up:
Al Atkins - vocals
Paul May - guitars
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Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
Atkins May Project: Valley of Shadows
Heavy Metal
4.0/5.0
Website Gonzo Multimedia by Craig Hartranft, 12.12.2012
Valley of Shadows is the second album from vocalist Al Atkins and guitarist Paul May, but first experience with the Atkins May Project. With a first spin, I can definitely say that Atkins, the Judas Priest founder and former vocalist, is an acquired taste. His raspy, leather, vocals eventually grow on you, perhaps like an itchy rash, after a second spin.
Al Atkins & Paul May: from right to left.
The strength of Valley of Shadows is definitely Paul May's classic hard rock and heavy metal guitar work. The song composition and guitar solos carry Atkins across every single song. Yet, despite my initial reservations, upon listening to songs like No Ordinary Man, Bitter Waters, or Harder They Fall, I can't imagine Atkins not doing the vocals on any AMP song. And he sounds downright soulful, though grizzly, on the title cut, a song with strong allusions to the the 23rd Psalm.
Alternatively, and mostly, I dig the breadth and depth of the guitar driven, classic and melodic, hard rock and heavy metal compositions. May can be blistering as on Welcome to the Nightmare and bluesy as on Bitter Waters. He's certainly a confident and inspired composer and guitarist, showing great versatility and variation in every song. It's what makes Valley of Shadows quite good and easily recommended.
Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
It’s not everyday you come across a metal album that has this much class, let alone that wears it as well as
Serpents Kiss, the fall of 2011 full length debut from Atkins / May Project. A joining of original Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins and Christian guitarist and music artist Paul May, Atkins / May Project has come up with ten NWOBHM influenced tracks that deliver every bit as much edge and bite (in terms of driving bass lines, relentless drumming and guitar pyrotechnics) as the do immediate accessibility (from the standpoint of catchy hooks that keep things fresh with repeated listen).
Serpents Kiss, in other words, upholds the albums single selling appeal that “good and evil can in fact work together”, albeit as demonstrated in the lyrics, good, ultimately, comes out on top in the end!
Most of you I am sure are already aware that Al Atkins was a founding member of Judas Priest, staying with the group from its 1969 inception until his departure in 1973, when he was replaced by the legendary Rob Halford. Since then, Atkins has released five solo albums, dating back to his 1990 debut Judgement Day but also including his most recent, Demon Deceiver, from 2007, in addition to the 2010 self-titled debut of his Holy Rage project. Paul May, who also needs little introduction, has gained renown for being part of the traditional metal band A.N.D. at the time of its 1994 release Get Real while also performing on over 50 albums to date in both the secular and Christian arenas.
The “good vs. evil” thing, of course, might be played up a bit too much here, but if your metal tastes trend towards both sides of the fence - and by that I am referring to Judas Priest, Accept and Iron Maiden (on one side) and Saint, Testify and Armageddon (on the other) - then I can see Atkins / May Project being of interest. Either way, the duo of Al Atkins and Paul May leave little doubt as to their abilities to stay true to their classic and traditional metal roots in no uncertain terms!
It starts with the Serpents Kiss material, which does not let up from beginning to end. “The Shallowing”, as a result of its unrelenting tempo, and “Traitors Hand”, bringing every bit as much heavy hitting fury, deliver adrenaline in abundance, while the same can be said for hook driven monster “Fight” and boisterously catchy “Betta Than Twisted”. Slowing the tempo but not the quality is the bottom heavy hooks to “Dream Maker” in addition to the joining of hard charging riffs and melody representative of “Judge” and “Can You Hear Me”. You will also find a fitting Kiss cover, “Cold Gin”, along with a near doom influenced piece, “Sign”.
Read on...d a ha
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of epic metal as you will find.
Review: ATKINS/MAY REVIEW
Billing itself as a collision between good and evil, Atkins May Project returns for their second outing Valley Of Shadows, with the original Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins once again teaming up with Christian guitarist and music artist Paul May, who has also worked with the likes of Roy Wood (Wizzard/ELO). I wasn't fortunate enough to hear the duo's first effort together, Serpent's Kiss - and in truth, I had all but dismissed the idea of someone harking back to their time in a band (some 39 years ago now) who went on to become seminal members of the world's metal scene, being able to hack it now. In fairness to Atkins, he not only sang with early incarnations of Judas Priest, but without him the band wouldn't exist and his time with them predates that of any of the men who went on to make the name famous throughout the lands. However having been lucky to have a copy of Valley Of Shadows plop onto my door mat, it now looks like I'll be going back and snapping up that debut, as this is a top notch slice of fiery, exuberant heavy metal in the style of....wait for it..... Judas Priest!Atkins isn't a singer possessing bags of finesses, or a voice liable to croon you to sleep, but that's a good thing, as otherwise guitarist Paul May would swamp him with the gargantuan riffs of the galloping "No Ordinary Man", or the stomping anthem of "Enslaved To Love". But this is a team effort with both halves of the duo working hard to keep up with the other, as spit-firing riffs are chased through the air by powerful rasping vocals. Refined this is not, hard hitting, in your face it is. Then add to the maelstrom a production that slaps you round the head when you're not looking and the fact that (and I'm guessing here, but no one other than Atkins or May is credited in the booklet or press release) the programmed drums are the best of this variety I've heard and Valley Of Shadows really packs a punch. Especially when it runs at full pelt, as it does during the fret burning, guitar solo salvo of "Stronger Is The Grace", or Thin Lizzy inspired instrumental "Messiah (Prelude)".
Surprisingly for an album that has rock, rolled, brawled and mauled for its first eight numbers, the eight minute title track and "The Shallowing (Return)", which together close things out, bring a more introspective, reserved outlook. It may not be the obvious end to an otherwise muscular excursion, but the poised guitar work from May and controlled rasp from Atkins makes both songs convincing and memorable.
Sporting as the debut did, a fabulous, trademark cover from Rodney Matthews, Valley Of Shadows is a classy album from start to finish and one that packs a far mightier punch than I'd initially anticipated.
Track Listing
1. Welcome to the Nightmare
2. No Ordinary Man
3. Bitter Waters
4. Enslaved to Love
5. Stronger Is the Grace
6. Harder They Fall
7. Not Ready to Die Today
8. Messiah (Prelude)
9. Valley of Shadows
10. The Shallowing (Return)
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