What happens when you cross equal parts melodic metal and symphonic power metal with a vocalist from Sweden by way of Brazil? You get the multifarious sounds to the fall of 2012 Nightmare Records debut solo release from Germán Pascual, A New Beginning. Pascual, who was raised in Brazil but moved to Sweden with his family at an early age, got started in music at 15 drumming in a thrash band but later found his calling as a vocalist with the progressive metal group Mind’s Eye on its 2008 debut The Afterglow. He went on to garner greater acclaim from fronting 2009 sixth Narnia album Course Of A Generation and swansong Divinefire offering, Eye Of The Storm from 2011 in which he shared co-lead vocal duties with Christian Liljegren (Narnia).
A New Beginning finds the artist walking a fine line between the best aspects of Narnia and Divinefire with its emphasis on abundant melodies, pristine vocal harmonies and soaring vocals (akin to the former) alongside symphonic keyboards, double kick drum and occasional growled vocals (not unlike the latter). Album correspondingly stands out with its accessibility. Almost commercial, its songs breathe of melody while oozing with every bit as much high-energy emotion and impassioned underpinnings. It is a travesty FM radio is not open to music of this capacity because I can see several songs dominating the airwaves if given opportunity.
Further enhancing albums the quality are Pascual’s wonderful vocal talents. Other reviewers have accurately listed Ronnie James Dio, Jorn Lande, Russell Allen, Rob Rock and David Coverdale as reference points, but I also feel that Michael Sweet and Lance King deserve mention. In terms of specifics, Pascual brings a pristine and smooth vocal style that allows him to reach for a high note with ease but also add a hint of lower register grit. Another critic that suggested his vocals as being ‘graceful and at times emphatic’ hit the nail on the head.
A New Beginning also impresses as an ‘all-star’ project when factoring the talented guest musicians to appear. In addition to former band mates in guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia) and multi-instrumentalist Jani Stefanovic (Divinefire), you will also find guitarists Martin Hall (Forged Wings) and Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Mean Streak) along with bassists Per Schelander (Pain Of Salvation) and Raphael Dafras (Seven Horizons).
Long out of print, A New Beginning was re-mastered and reissued in October of 2025 by Roxx Records on CD and vinyl with the excellent bonus track “Live Amongst The Dead”. Enhanced packaging (attributing to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics) includes lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font. Keeping in mind the original Nightmare version sounds fine, the Roxx Records re-mastering (noting the work of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) improves with a clearer sound manifesting in a heightened low end, fuller rhythm guitar sound and cleaner mix of guitar leads and keyboards.
Starting to piano but soon to turn into a full-blown rocker, opener “Seek The Truth” reinforces a platform of muscular guitars hinted with airy keyboards to establish a setting on the enticing side. Chorus hook is immediate, while the riff driven focus proves equally catchy. A perfect joining of symphonic and melodic metal would be the best way to describe things. Lyric snippet:
Are you prepared to seek the truth?
Or rather follow those blind rules
Are you prepared to seek the truth?
If not your future is lost and you will never get it back
You better not listen to the crowd
No money can buy the ticket to eternity
He will give it to your for free
It’s up to you to choose right or wrong
“The Wrath Of God” hits harder with a more aggressive tempo and punishing guitar walls, establishing a churning low end and periodic extreme vocals. Contrastingly, when impetus settles down it is for an emanating chorus in which light vocal melodies play a defining role. Think Divinefire but with a touch more melody.
“If The Sky Would Fall” can best be described as a victorious metal anthem. This one jumps starts at once, blazing its way in approaching speed metal territory with its aggressive riff direction and driving mentality. An emotional element comes into play for the inspiring refrain sustaining the mercurial tempo. Lyric snippet:
You will lead me to the promised land
Like you led Moses through the desert land
It’s your choice to do me well
You don’t know how to fail
You will lead me home
From the ancient to eternal
From the birth to the grave
Your Word still stands
Even though the sky would fall
You will shelter us all
“Misty Dreams” sets a mid-paced clip in reinforcing a melodic metal based heading. Opening to eerie keyboards, the song charges and grinds its distance to staunch guitar riffs backed by technical drumming. Melody is every bit profound as those preceding but taking the more forthright heading. Rounding things out are some falsettos from Pascual.
Non-stop double bass carries the distance of “Open Your Eyes”, an unremitting slugger combining the best aspects of the heavier symphonic material and that taking a more melodic approach. Tempo might be furious and mentality resounding but putting things over the top is a luxurious refrain to see abundant backing vocals prevail. Lyric snippet:
Day by day I’ve lived my life
As a prisoner in my own cage
I wanted to wake up, to look much further
Than my eyes could reach
In the sky there are trillions of stars
But only one will keep us warm
It gives light
It gives life
It opened my eyes
“I Call For The One” rates with the albums most aggressive. What we have here is a deep and unfathomable piece, with moments trending towards those stauncher and others carried at a furious tempo. Similar to the previous five, melody stands out clear and pristine, and certain to draw in on first listen. Another heavy hitting piece to entice Divinefire fans.
A return to mid-paced territory reveals on “Unbroken Wings”. This one smoothly flows with periodic drum explosions, upholding rich and polished harmonies and predominant backing vocals akin to Stryper. Upshot is another solid example of melodic metal helping to round out a consistent album. Lyric snippet:
Please hear my voice through all the noise
Screaming voices in despair
I’m here to serve, to make Your will
Send an angel with unbroken wings
God give me strength to carry on
Show me the light to guide my way
I know that You’ll be there will me
“Come Ease The Pain” finds the artist at his heaviest. With militant riffs leading the way, the song finds the Pascual singing in a fitting lower register to match the more robust nature to the music here. Despite the heaviness, a listenable form is not sacrificed as the trademark A New Beginning melody is allowed to shine.
“Fate Of The Blind” is the better of the final three (at least my opinion). This one upholds quite the decisive momentum with walls of razor edged guitars and spirited low-end leading to what amounts a brazen and in your face tone. Expertly done rhythms touch upon the curtly woven, while Grimmark’s soloing is of a similar high quality. Lyric snippet:
Look at your own world
Our glorious success is fuelled by death
The luck for death starts turning
The smoke will lead us up to one last breath
Tell me what you think
What will be the fall
What we found and what we will find
Fate of the blind
“Cancion Con Todos” gives rise to a melodic hard rock feel with its clean keyboard mix, although not forsaking guitars in the process. It must be noted vocals and lyrics are in Spanish (an English translation is not provided). Also, Pascual’s vocals prove perfectly suited for what amounts a differing musical direction- at least in comparison to the albums other material.
“Live Amongst The Dead” is not some run of the mill bonus track designed to fill space, but rather is the real deal in ranking among albums best. It proves a back and forth type song, launching slow and ominous only to gradually build as trenchant mid-paced guitar plunges ahead of decelerating back to a leisurely direction. All the while, a superlative melody rises above the manifold scene. Initial impression is Veni Domine, which should not surprise in light of the fact Veni Domine guitarist Torbjörn Weinesjö receives a songwriting credit!
If interested in a standout melodic power metal album with superlative vocals then look no further than Germán Pascual solo debut A New Beginning. Songwriting is catchy in terms of immediately melodies but crisp production allows abject heaviness in light of a forward guitar mix. The choice guest appearances from a host of talented musicians lend further value. If back in the day you missed A New Beginning, or are interested in an upgraded version in light of improves packaging and re-mastering not to mention an excellent bonus track, you can do no wrong with the Roxx Records reissue.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Seek The Truth” (5:08), “The Wrath Of God” (4:07), “If The Sky Would Fall” (3:37), “Misty Dreams” (5:21), “Open Your Eyes” (4:20), “I Call For The One” (4:19), “Unbroken Wings” (3:41), “Come Ease The Pain” (3:16), “Fate Of The Blind” (3:46), “Cancion Con Todos” (3:33), “Live Amongst The Dead” (5:21)
Musicians
Germán Pascual - Lead Vocals
Martin Hall - Guitars
Guilherme Oliveira - Keyboards
Raphael Dafras - Bass
Additional Musicians
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars
Thomas “Plec” Johansson - Guitars
