Goldmine Magazine Review of Shapeshifter
Conrad L. Stinnett, Goldmine Magazine 
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Shapeshifter is certainly an appropriate album title for Tempest, a band who can be somewhat challenging 
to classify. Their unique blend of high-energy folk-rock combines elements of Celtic folk and various 
branches of world music with the complexity and precision of progressive rock to create a sound that is 
sure to appeal to fans of The Chieftains, Fairport Convention, and Heavy Horses-era Jethro Tull. 
Tempest, as Shapeshifter aptly demonstrates, seems to be equally at home covering traditional tunes such 
as the Scottish ballad "Tamosher," the Appalachian standard "Old Man At The Mill" or original songs such 
as "Carnival" and the instrumental "Catalina Island," which features powerful interplay between the mandolin 
of leader Lief Sorbye and fretwork of electric guitarist Ronan Carroll. The mix of Sorbye’s and Carroll’s 
instruments, the violin of Sue Draheim and the rhythm section of bassist Mark Skowronek and drummer 
Adolfo Lazo give the music of Tempest a lush, rich sound that is very capable of adapting itself to meet the 
needs of the diverse material. Draheim and Skowronek’s tight background vocals bring a new element to the 
Tempest mix, while Sorbye’s tasty electric and acoustic mandolin work, a hallmark of every Tempest album, 
continues to shine as he lets loose on almost every track. 
Longtime producer Robert Berry (3, GTR) achieves a powerful, clear sound without sacrificing a live feel. 
Whether live in concert or in the CD player, Tempest’s combination of folk songs and rock ’n’ roll attitude 
is always a worthwhile listen, and Shapeshifter is no exception.