Dynasty is a power metal band situated at the intersection of melodic metal affection and progressive inclining. The Nova Lima, Brazil based act is the project of founding member and front man Nahor Andrade, whom despite an ever-revolving lineup independently released in 1997 the group’s initial full length custom cassette Into Righteousness prior to following up with demo EPs The Angels Return and Following The Sign from 1999 and 2002, respectively. Good news is that Andrade carried over the core Following The Sign roster of guitarist Cesar Martins and drummer Ademir Machado for the Dynasty 2004 full-length Avantage Records debut Motus Perpetuus.
Immediate impression to Motus Perpetuus is the immaculate production of Ricardo Parronchi (Destra) and excellent packaging featuring bold cover art, lyrics, band photos and detailed liner notes. Musically, the album is not that far removed from Brazilian Christian metal cohorts of the time in Destra, Shining Star, Menahem and Belica with a joining of power and progressive metal common to the turn of the century hard music scene. No, Motus Perpetuus might not present with anything new or groundbreaking, but I also find it well executed, deftly composed and ultimately an enjoyable and consistent listen.
Sadly, Motus Perpetuus went out of print and turned into a hard to find collectors item. Good news is that in August of 2022 Girder Records re-mastered and reissued the album with upgraded packaging that includes lyrics and liner notes in an easier to read font. Bonus material comes in the form of the three songs from the Following The Sign EP.
When listened alongside, I find little if any difference between the Avantage release and re-mastered version- they sound almost as if carbon copies of one another. That being said, and despite the fact the reissue packaging provides no attribution to the re-mastering technician, perhaps the original production is so good no benefit ended up obtained from re-mastering. Finally, and not to nitpick, but cover art to the reissue comes across faded and washed out compared to the more colorful and darker timbre of the original.
Opener “Not In Vain” is an accurate indicator of the Dynasty sound, awash in an expedited fixating and crunch worthy guitars but also realizing a facilitated mix of keyboards and bass. Andrade’s vocals are correspondingly of a melodic classic tenor form. Other notable melodic power metal acts of the time such as Harmony and Magnitude 9 represent additional points of reference. Lyric snippet:
One day someone paid the price for us
To live a life so far away from hate
You may feel His love and peace
A love that you can't understand
Died on a cross for you and me
Gave us His life for our sins
Died on a cross
Why can't you see?
Gave us His life for our sins
Albums shortest at three and half minutes, “Eternity” is also its fastest as a speed metal burner essential to hardwired double kick drum and breakneck riffing. The equally whirlwind refrain identifies with a deft eighties touch along lines of Stryper. Classical keyboards and neo-classical riffing adorn the instrumental moments, so also throw Narnia into the mix.
“Against All Evil” represents a varied piece with a semi-ballad basis. On one hand, it’s inherent to rapid fire moments atypical of the groups fleet derivative form; on the other, it also settles down to slower passages in which melodic bass maneuvers to a forward position, specifying the adept work of Ivan Almeida. Likewise, keyboardist Gustavo Ivon presents with no small ability. Lyric snippet:
The enemy tries to destroy my life
But God's love give me strength to fight
I believe in the name of Christ
Because He has power to save my life
Oh, I need to overcome
'Cause many battles I'm gonna fight
I'll see the enemies fall
By the hands of the Lord
Six minute “The Word That Remains” finds the group putting the progressive side to its songwriting on display. Time and tempo changes abound, with the calmly reticent acoustic minute-and-half opening giving way to the heavier rocking middle section exclusive to determined mid-paced guitars and alluring vocal melodies. Final minute and half sees a fiery instrumental run allowing the Tuta and Cesar Martins guitar team to shine ahead of a transition back to acoustic guitar to close.
Second six minute cut in a row "Miztvoth" is a signature power metal galloper. It literally flies its span, innate to a jarring aspect as darker keyboards and beefy rhythms contest over a bedrock of prompt timekeeping, with heaviness further elevating for the scrappy blues drenched instrumental passage. The chanted refrain innate to medieval style vocal melodies rates with albums best. Germany’s Seventh Avenue comes to mind. Lyric snippet:
The law is eternal love
And rules our attitudes
If you trust in God
You will be strong
Give your life to God
Walking always in truth
Accepting the laws
You´ll never be wrong.
Dynasty goes full on progressive for seven minute “Following the Sign”. Preserving the heavier form, song smites with its cracking low end and buffeting rhythms for its technical verse portions but persuades equally as the leveling mentality expands for the enterprising refrain. Neo-classical guitar leads bolster the extensive mid-point instrumental run. Am I out of line to suggest a Theocracy comparison?
“Another Chance” mirrors the melodic side to Dynasty, initiating to a bass solo ahead of weaving its span to impermeable guitar harmonies and concentrated vocal melodies but with intermittent outbursts of heavier aptitude. Over the songs final half, organ allays the backend with a classic hard rock touch akin to Brazilian compatriots Belica. Lyric snippet:
Now I can tell for all
Who changed my wrong ways?
And you can also choose
The best side to live
Because my great Savior
Heard the prayers of my heart
Put on me your hands
Freeing me from sin forever
A return to a heavier inclining with “Salvation” (Overcome)”, a hastened four and half minutes of crunchy guitars, lower register vocals and rattling low end to reach for a speed based propensity. Again, the Tuta and Martins guitar team shines, imbuing another protracted instrumental passage with duel lead guitar of no small ability.
Ensuing traditional ballad “Just For Loving You” flows to piano, proper but not overriding guitar and elevated keyboards in articulating of the eloquent and poignant. Yes, somewhat predictable and the ballad route have been well travelled within power to progressive metal confines, but also welcome when exceedingly well done and such is the case here. Lyric snippet:
Upon me I supported your sins and your pains
In a rock I buried
My forgiveness your received
If you don't believe
You can touch me
Here I am
Everything that I passed
“Time Is Over” represents signature Dynasty melodic power metal. It uplifts its span, racing to a frenetic integrating of intense riffs and concentration low end as the group again puts its expert musicianship on display. I particularly take to the unexpected outburst of grainy organ to close the instrumental passage. Lyric snippet:
Motus Perpetuus closes to final six minute cut “Goldenland”. Approaching from a metal anthem standpoint, song exults with regal keyboards and stately overtures to make a symphonic statement (for the stately verse sections) but also flexes herculean musical (distinguishing the sculpted refrain). Guitar and keyboards contest instrumentally.
It would not be inaccurate to suggest the three Following The Sign bonus tracks are a bit rough production wise but still a worthy listen. Dynasty re-recorded two for Motus Perpetuus, including “The Word That Remains”, maintaining its progressive affinity but extended an extra minute while exuding a heavier edge, and “Overcome (Salvation)”, also speed derivative but rawer in capacity in upholding the same fantastic duel lead guitar. Exclusive to the demo is “Still Unknown”, an awesome seven minutes skirting at times classic metal and others the ploddingly doom like in ranking with my favorites from Dynasty. It deserved to make the Motus Perpetuus final cut.
Motus Perpetuus equates to a musically consistent, well produced and adeptly performed melodic power metal album. It represents one of several standout Brazilian turn of the century Christian metal scene releases, ranking alongside Detra’s Joe’s Rhapsody, Shining Star‘s Enter Eternity and Menahem’s Angels & Shadows in such capacity. Thanks to Girder Records for making the album again available with the additional bonus of the Following The Sign demo tracks.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Not In Vain" (4:58), "Eternity" (3:34), "Against All Evil" (4:20), "The Word That Remains" (6:11), "Miztvoth" (5:55), "Following The Sign" (6:57), "Another Chance" (5:48), "Salvation" (Overcome) (4:37), "Just For Loving You" (4:45), "The Time Is Over" (4:23), "Goldenland" (5:51), “The Word That Remains” (bonus track) (6:54), “Still Unknown” (bonus track) (7:01), “Overcome (Salvation)” (bonus track) (4:55)
Musicians
Nahor Andrade - Lead Vocals
Tuta - Guitars
Cesar Martins - Guitars
Gustavo Ivon - Keyboards
Ivan Almeida - Bass
Ademir Machado - Drums
Guest Musicians
Eduardo Parronchi - Guitars
Ricardo Parronchi - Bass
Fulano de Tal - Cello
