Shaman's Harvest

Where did this band come from and why am I just now hearing Shaman's Harvest's music? This group of guys is one of the best Kansas City area bands that I have ever heard. Shaman's Harvest is not a metal band, most of their music is not even what I would call hard rock, but this outfit has one of the best groups of mainstream rock music makers I have had the privilege to review. These rare gems are what makes all the time listening to dozens of bands worthwhile. In fact, there are so many good things I could say; I am not sure where to start.

Let's begin with the music. The front man for Shaman's Harvest sounds similar to Creed, Pearl Jam, and many other bands who have seen top forty success with a "modern rock crooner" type singer. The occasional outburst of throaty hollering keeps things exciting on the vocal front and whatever he is doing on the microphone at any given time is just right. The two guitarists in Shaman's Harvest are one of the largest elements of this band's sound. These two go together like the yin and yang. Awesome clean channel guitar duets that give depth to the melodies, and solo work that is more like a high grain extension of the rhythm line than a typical solo, create sounds that give Shaman's Harvest a Credence Clearwater Revival meets the Seattle sound kind of groove. One the tunes on this CD even sounded a bit country, but the rest of the music is of such high quality that I can ignore a little twang.

Shaman's Harvest has enough variety from song to song that the listener never gets bored and the sounds never get monotonous. Some of the songs sounded very Blues Traveller-ish. A lot of rock out there is blues influenced and this not only is very apparent in a few of Shaman's Harvest's compositions, but this style of music is done very well and their own scent is certainly all over it. Shaman's Harvest does a better job of tapping into real emotion and then relaying those feelings through music, than any Kansas City rock band I have experienced.

It came to mind when listening to this CD, "These guys have been playing together for a long time" because the instrument arrangements fit together like so many sections of a well conducted orchestra. Shaman's Harvest has their own definite style and the way these players work together makes me think surely there is some music theory in the background or some form of musical training or education.

Everything about this band impressed me, and when I spoke with their manager and discovered that no one in the band is over twenty-three, I was nothing short of amazed. This band is playing well past its years and should be extremely proud of making a record that any music lover will thoroughly enjoy.

In a nutshell: this CD has seen the inside of my CD player more than my own band's CD has. I would not be at all surprised to hear this band on pop radio or see them on some huge summer tour in the next few years. If this is the first record that this band has released and it is this good, the next one should take Shaman's Harvest anywhere they want to go.

Fast Eddy
KC Rock Revue
- Fast Eddy

If there’s one word that describes Jefferson City’s Shaman’s Harvest, it’s “solid.” All 12 tracks of their newest CD Synergy resound with all the power and bombast modern rock can muster. Taking a cue from early ‘90s Seattle and mixing it with a healthy dose of salt of the earth grittiness, Shaman’s Harvest belts out radio-ready anthems packed with emotion and massive hooks.

Two elements are crucial in Shaman’s Harvest sound. One is the wall of guitars consisting of Jay Pelzer, Adam Hunt, and Josh Hamler. The eighteen strings of this trio ensure that the band never sounds weak, especially when backed by the razor-sharp rhythm section of Craig Wingate on drums and Matt Fisher on bass. Another vital piece of the puzzle is vocalist Nathan ‘Drake’ Hunt. Equal parts Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp and John Popper, he swerves between smooth wailing and guttural growls, beefing up the band’s sound.

Highlights of Synergy include the rockers “Comet Riders” and “7-6.” Both uptempo numbers feature memorable choruses, while “The Walk” shuffles along stuffed with harmonies that conjure up Lynyrd Skynyrd.

If the band has a shortcoming it’s editing; the 12-song album clocks in at over an hour, and several tracks extend beyond five minutes. If the group can learn to just cut out a bit of fat and focus their obvious power, they can easily go as far as their ambitions take them.
- Phillip Price