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This Brazilian band is very popular in Japan, but in Europe a lot of metal fans will not be familiar with them. Founded in 1996, they have already released 3 albums. The first album "Defying the Rules" leans towards speed metal and although this new album is rather fast too, I wouldn't speak about speed metal anymore, but rather fast power metal.

With the new guitar player Renato Osório the guitars have a more important place in the mix. The riffs have a rather thrashy sound, a bit like we know it from a band like Annihilator. That makes this a rather heavy album. With the power ballad "Shall I Keep on Burning" the tempo is slowed down for a moment and that track isn't a real topper, but takes care of the variety. Also the track "The Scream of an Angel" is a stranger, it is a very melodic, more rock oriented track.

Another very positive point is the singing of Iuri Sanson, he has almost no accent and some very powerful organs. Besides that he sometimes uses a raw edge in his singing. On top of that, the songs are rather melodic and the production is good. Sure there are some Maiden influences and even some parts remind me of Dream Theater. The soli are rather fast and sometimes Dragonforce enters my mind, when I am listening to them.

With this new album the band sure isn't inferior to any popular European or American power metal band. They deserve it to be checked out. Power metal with balls!

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