| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Fred Mika & Netto Mello |
| Record Label: Musik Records | Country Of Origin: Brazil |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 49:13 |
The current version to Sunroad is a complete transformation compared to its earliest incarnation. The Goiania, Brazil based group traces to 1999 and its debut full length Heat From The Road, which preceded quite the prolific period to see it put out four full-length albums, an EP and compilation release over a twelve-year span. Critically, whereas many take to the initial Sunroad material, I struggle to embrace early albums such as 2003 sophomore offering Light Up The Sky (55% Angelic Warlord review) and 2006 follow up effort Flying N’ Floating (60% review). I might have slightly favored fourth and fifth albums Long Gone (75%) and Carved In Time (70%) from 2009 and 2013, respectively, but similar to previous releases I rarely if ever listened to either subsequent to writing the review.
That, however, changed with the groups 2017 Roxx Records sixth full-length album Wing Seven, an 85% reviewed work I describe as ‘(highlighting) a consistency and songwriting depth Sunroad struggled to achieve in the past and matches it with the strongest production of its seven-album career’. Seventh album Heatstrokes from 2019 (also Roxx) maintains the cohesion in garnering an 80% review to see ‘Sunroad remaining in the prime form it captured on Wing Seven’ while ‘(maintaining) in the process is the same strong performance in terms of musicianship and vocals’. Musik Records eighth album Walking The Hemispheres from 2021 carries over the quality in continuing to see Sunroad at the top of its game.
What allowed Sunroad to make such steps and strides over the second half of its career? In my opinion, the difference attributes to the musical maturity a group makes in terms of songwriting and performance with time and experience, which allows Sunroad to perfect its signature melodic metal and hard rock imbued with blues and classic rock influenced sound. It also comes down to continuity pointing to founding member and drummer Fred Mika, the lone mainstay on each Sunroad release, in addition to a consistency of lineup not always seen on initial albums. Specifically, guitarist Netto Mello, whom was with the group at the time of Wing Seven, returns on Walking The Hemispheres to join Mika and holdover second guitarist and bassist Mayck Veira, whom was part of the Heatstrokes lineup.
If into metal and hard rock with a bluesy allure then albums title track fits the bill. “Walking The Hemispheres” begins to a minute long keyboard opening ahead of screaming guitars and pounding drums, powering forward to guitar and bass interplay as new front man Steph Honde lends to the forward mentality with his grainy and raspy but complementary mid-ranged vocal abilities.
“Living In A Dream (Red Sign Mirrors)” tempers momentum with a melodic hard rock basis. Song takes a commercial stance, added hooks decorate the compelling environs, but it fails to back from the guitar fortitude, Mello’s radiant lead guitar impresses throughout. Of now is how vocals lower in register to reflect a Coverdale like vibe.
“Silence Erupting Inside” represents a forward thinking metal piece, exhibiting tons of catchy low end-groove and soaring momentum as guitars dig and bite and bands inherent energy builds upon the keyed up scene. Mika in particular stands out with his spot on timekeeping, noting his energetic drum solo to start.
“Crawling Back And Ahead” draws upon an AOR vestige, revealed in melodic bass and equally laudable vocal melodies to point towards a radio friendly form. Am I out of line to suggest a metal edged version to Journey? Regardless, one cannot deny how the song allows albums perfectly balanced production to stand out, as revealed in cleanly mixed keyboards, crisp guitars and decisive low end.
Slowing tempo is “Shoot The Clock” in upholding lower register vocals, Hammond B3 and thickset guitars to allow a darker, bluesy form. Not lost in the process is the Sunroad penchant for melody, hooks draw in with repeat play, and lively guitar work, soloing is of a fitting reserved nature.
After opening to five straight hard rockers, album moves on to its first of two ballads in “Written In The Mist’. It proves a good one, with tranquil piano leading the way alongside crystalline keyboards and breathing bass to speak of the smoothly flowing. Halfway through the song rhythm guitar steps forward to provide a well-timed crunch.
One-minute bluesy guitar instrumental “Mighty Beauty & Its Chaos” gives way to “The Mess & Its Key”. What we have is a short (three minute) but upbeat metal piece with fast paced riffing and accelerated drumming impressing of the expeditious (for its verse sections) but also the calmly inviting (noting the evenly tinctured refrain). I identify with the two as a single four-minute song.
Back to commercial territory with “Halo Of Hearts”, another melodic hard rock cut with lightly done keyboards and distinct guitars allowing for an AOR influenced sound. No, the song is not heavy as some here but no less able as Sunroad reveals a more accessible side to its songwriting.
“Victim Of Nowhere” takes a delectable eighties metal heading. With full on guitars leading the way, it reinforces a driving mid-paced impetus to speak of the staunchly focuses but also a melodic appeal as the groups spotless vocal harmonies again make appearance. Cowbell briefly takes over ahead of the guitar melody driven instrumental run.
“Detached Picture Of Venus” takes a varied approach in transitioning between moments elevated and calm. Former reaches for the aggressive with galloping power metal style riffs and a combative low end, while latter smoothes out in even fashion to uphold the groups lighter side. This is progressive as it gets far as Sunroad are concerned.
Album closes to its final ballad, “Try Me”. It is also a leading track, uplifting an atmospheric form with piano and orchestration leading the way in playing up a manifest melody. I appreciate how guitar steps in to convey the instrumental run covering the final three of the songs six minutes.
Walking The Hemispheres equates to another quality album from Brazil’s Sunroad. It represents the consistency in songwriting and performance initiated by the group since 2017’s Wing Seven and 2019 follow up effort Heatstrokes. Production is up to equal standard. If into melodic metal and hard rock with a bluesy edge or a fan of Sunroad - not to mention the Brazil metal scene - then make Walking The Hemispheres a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Walking The Hemispheres” (4:53), “Living In A Dream (Red Sign Mirrors)” (4:30), “Silence Erupting Inside” (4:41), “Crawling Back And Ahead” (4:02), “Shoot The Clock” (4:00), “Written in The Mist” (4:26), “Mighty Beauty & Its Chaos” (1:12), “The Mess & Its Key” (3:06), “Halo Of Hearts” (4:15), “Victim Of Nowhere” (4:00), “Detached Picture Of Venus” (3:57), “Try Me” (6:05)
Musicians
Steph Honde - Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Hammond B3 & Guitars
Netto Mello - Lead Guitars
Mayck Vieira - Rhythm Guitar & Bass
Van Alexandre - Bass & Rhythm Guitar
Fred Mika - Drums & Percussion
