| Musical Style: Symphonic Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Brazil |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 62:35 |
It would not be out of line to suggest that symphonic metal represents a missing genre within Christian hard music circles, or at the very least, it ranks alongside progressive metal in this capacity. Whereas that progressive has a legitimate heavy hitter in Affector and several minor league players in Revelation Project, Pursuit and Timesword, the Christian symphonic metal field is not quite so crowded. First name to come to mind is HB, but symphonic metal also might be somewhat limiting when it comes to labeling the Finnish five piece in that you will also find aspects of melodic metal and hard rock not to mention the Gothic and even industrial imbuing its varied sound. Likewise, with LEAH, who might be a comparable heavy hitter alongside Affector but also better classifies as a mainstream artist in mixing Medieval, folk and classic music with a symphonic to progressive basis.
One must look to Brazil to find the type casting needed to fall under the symphonic metal umbrella. Case in point being Perpetual Legacy, whose 2015 Metal Survivor (and 80% Angelic Warlord reviewed) debut A New Symphony For Him brings all the trapping associated with the genre: classically trained soprano female vocals and symphonic orchestration, keyboards and choirs that back a more traditional metal set up of guitars, bass and drums. Atmospheric if not complex musical arrangements that approach the progressive round the symphonic label out.
Angel’s Fire is the second act from the region to deserve mention. The Recife base group follows a similar symphonic metal-based pattern but with a twist: majority of the tracks on its February of 2018 independently released (digital only) debut full length O Conto are in its native Portuguese. This also represents the lone caveat I have with the album in that while its Portuguese material is by no means bad, I also struggle to identify or completely connect with it, at least in comparison to that in English. Perhaps it is due to the language barrier, but I find individual tracks to not always separate or stand apart as they should, resulting in a slight sameness feel overall. Contrast this with the albums two songs in English, which in my opinion represent its best.
For those on the fence, lets take a close look at individual tracks:
Albums title track gets things going as a short (1:41) instrumental that navigates to choral vocals and cinematic keyboards. “Anjo de Luz” follows to an extended instrumental build up that gradually morphs to the darker mid-paced acclivity to carry its distance, while “Sacrificio” ensues at the more upbeat tempo in lending an abundance of double kick drum and elevated heaviness. Inherent to the two are the pure and crystalline vocals of Priscila Lira and blinding lead guitar abilities of Israel Lira.
Album maneuvers through its remaining Portuguese cuts alternating between those slower and faster, beginning with“Guardião”. Almost ballad like in capacity, “Guardião” opens to keyboards and piano prior to guitars drifting in and setting a mid-tempo tone that speaks more of melodic hard rock as opposed to metal. Not so “Além do Horizonte”, which proves heavier and faster with its Narnia like classical keyboards and towering guitar walls, particularly for the forward instrumental moments.
A lighter melodic metal inclining reflects on “Meu Desejo”. With piano and orchestration at the start, the song slowly but wistfully drifts as bass and keyboards carry its verse sections and angelic vocals the more forthright refrain. “Nova Reino” contrasts as full on metal, as a generous instrumental opening to feature orchestral keyboards morphs to cutting guitars and more of timekeepers André Lima’s double bass. Last of the Portuguese tracks is ballad “Pensamentos em uma Linda Noite” to highlight grand piano, prodigious bass, even larger vocal melodies and emotional guitar solo to boot.
“Tonight”, first of two English cuts, is this reviewer’s choice track. The song assertively rolls forward at once as classical keyboards decorate, uplifting with its galloping mentality but also darker in terms of the light AOR tinctures resonating of its august refrain. A strong melody helps “Tonight” fill out its six and a half minute without approaching the repetitive.
“Angel's Fire” is every bit good, hard charging from the get go to keyed up guitars and added double kick drum, with verses maintaining the striking form and chorus touching upon the epic in capacity. A protracted instrumental run finds the group again putting its top-level musicianship on display, as found in the neo-classical playing of Lira.
Closing things is a filler instrumental version to “Meu Desejo”, whose sol purpose (far as I can tell) is to extend the album an unnecessarily additional six minutes.
There are a great many things I cannot fault Angel’s Fire and its debut O Conto. All aspects of the recording process are finely done, with the group leaving little doubt as to how it possesses the musical licks and chops associated with the symphonic form, while production is every bit above the line. Lone complaint, and I hate to harp on this, is how I cannot connect with the groups Portuguese material. That said, I see devotees to symphonic metal or the Brazilian metal scene in general better embracing that in Portuguese, so approach with an open mind. As for “Tonight” and “Angel’s Fire”, quality is such if the group had recorded the entire album in English we could potentially be looking at a final score in the 80% to 85% range. Perhaps similar to HB, Angel’s Fire might consider recording an English equivalent to O Conto, or consider its next album to be an entire English offering instead.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “O Conto” (1:41), “Anjo de Luz” (6:07), “Sacrifício” (5:29), “Guardião” (5:48), “Além do Horizonte” (5:48), “Meu Desejo” (6:21), “Novo Reino” (7:04), “Pensamentos em uma Linda Noite” (5:29), “Tonight” (6:41), “Angel’s Fire” (5:50), “Meu Desejo” (instrumental) (6:17)
Musicians
Priscila Lira - Lead Vocals
Israel Lira - Guitars
Italo Liano - Keyboards
Saymo Robert - Bass
André Lima - Drums
