| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Ricardo Parronchi & Dracma |
| Record Label: Megahard | Country Of Origin: Brazil |
| Year Released: 2002 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 49:41 |
The Megahard Records 2002 full-length Dracma debut Perfect Creation presents with capable songwriting and notable production but shaky lead vocals taint the listening experience. Details about the São Paulo, Brazil based five piece are obscure other than it independently released in 2000 a 3-song self-titled demo EP, which served to introduce its compelling amalgamation of melodic power metal (somewhat akin to Narnia) and bluesy hard rock (referencing mid-period Bride). Despite being musically solid, Dracma lumps with a host of promising turn of the century Brazilian Christian metal bands - of which are too numerous to mention - that struggle to deliver the total musical package or at the very least are flawed in some fundamental fashion.
As for front man Alexandre Schultz, it is not an issue of lacking ability, but rather in my opinion, he ends up miscast in a vocal role he is not vocally suited to fill. In other words, he was not necessarily set up for success in that the Dracma material does not always fit his range. Close look reveals Schultz performs well when singing in a lower if not baritone register, such as the calm and reserved opening seconds to “Riders”. Yet, when the song picks up to a hard rocking tempo he gets outside his comfort zone and vocally comes across forced and strained. Musically, “Riders” is otherwise solid with a semi-progressive feel found in manifold instrumental excursions allowing talented guitarist Ivan Alatxeve to exhibit his abilities.
Schultz does a fine job on albums more laid back material. Consider in such capacity “Suffering Violence”, a bluesy slide guitar driven heavy rocker with ample doses of organ and catchy groove akin to Sarepta. Perhaps it is the low-key environs, but the song allows him to sing in a smoother fashion as opposed to forcing things vocally. Lyric snippet:
I tell you, and far than a prophet
Hey, what did you go out to see?
Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of You
I assure you no one is greater than He
From that days until now
The Kingdom of Heaven has been suffering violence
A reed in the wind. hold on my friend.
A man in soft clothes. do it again
Likewise, “Clouds In The Desert”, a beautifully done acoustic rocker with a dainty and airy feel in which he also sings in a more comfortable range. The Spanish guitar and flute stressed instrumental moments mirror the Dracma creativity. Schultz also shines when singing in his native Portuguese on "Suor de Sangue", a well-conceived ballad innate to classical keyboards and orchestration.
Lead vocal concerns notwithstanding, remainder of albums material is musically top notch. I particularly take to “Lavadate”, six minutes of power/progressive metal innate to militant riffs, ingenious drum rolls and fills of Lieno Medeiros and generous neo-classical instrumental moments. The Narnia feel is unmistakable. Lyric snippet:
I have victory, and you what do you have?
Look and see beyond the sky,
and what do you see?
Nothing?
Get the real truth
Do the people get anything?
I have the power
Cause I have His Blood on me
"This Generation" ensues in a similar vein, explosive out of the gate ahead of launching into combative verse sections and equally discordant refrain. In between, harmonies touch upon a pressing mentality and momentum the enterprising. I sense a power/thrash influence.
Albums title track is another power metal scorcher. Opening to a succinct drum solo, “Perfect Creation” tempers to a darker mid-paced heading as whetted guitars and entrancing keyboards embolden the curt framework. Impactful rhythms drive the lengthy instrumental run. Lyric snippet:
Soon he will be unmasked
And cups of pain will pour over your body
He'll experience his self-destruction
At the end of this time
There will be no more night
Jesus will be our light
And we will see Him face to face
Like He really is
In a hard rock bearing is “Waiting”, gritty with its sober guitar flavoring but also melodic found in soothing keyboards and hooks mirroring an AOR form. Bass leads the way instrumentally ahead of hulking guitars taking over in levelheaded fashion. Crystalline production allows the manifold low end to separate the songs length.
“Mountain” is another powerhouse hard rocker. Barebones and to the point, song emanates of the no-nonsense in chugging its span to tumultuous harmonies while upholding unfiltered bluesy indications. Yet, song makes an about face to a speed based direction for its cavorting instrumental moments. Musicianship represents a Dracma strength. Lyric snippet:
On a high mountain the wind touches my face
It seems to want to say something to me
Looking back at my life, seeing the gift of nature
Life in its most beautiful form
The clouds take shape, dancing softly in the sky...
I feel full of life at this moment between me and the Creator
Hence, albums two instrumental cuts beginning with opener "The Glory - Khristos Voskres", two and half minutes of classical keyboards and Latin choirs carried over a hard rock beat. It also includes “The Fall”, catchy with its forthcoming riffs and harmonies to reveal a more melodic but no less able side to Dracma. When further factoring the elevated keyboards, I am reminded of Long Live The King era Narnia.
On Perfect Creation, Dracma checks required boxes in form of above the line power metal meets hard rock songwriting, impressive musicianship and professional production. Lone outlier is lead vocals, which attribute not to a lack of ability on front man Alexandre Schultz, but rather the Perfect Creation material is not a good fit for his range. I intend no disrespect, but if Dale Thompson (Bride) or Larry Worley (Fear Not) fronted the album, I would assign a grade in the 85% to 90% range. It is disappointing we never heard from Dracma again in that the group highlights a high level of talent deserving a follow up release.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "The Glory – Khristos Voskres" (2:22), "Lavdate" (5:47), "This Generation" (3:22), "The Fall" (3:46), "Waiting" (4:42), "Mountain" (4:18), "Riders" (6:05), "Suffering Violence" (5:04), "Clouds In The Desert" (4:21), "Perfect Creation" (3:54), "Suor de Sangue" (5:54)
Musicians
Alexandre Schultz - Lead Vocals
Ivan Alatxeve - Guitars
Andre J. Silva - Keyboards
Thiago Medeiros - Bass
Lieno Medeiros - Drums
Guest Musicians
Marcelo Reis - Guitars
Celso Pecuraro - Bass
Marcelo Saorin - Flute
