Almah - Motion

(CD, Afm Records, 2011)

To tell you the truth I was not expecting a new album from this Brazilian band that looked much more like project. You see, ANGRA returned to discography in 2010 with “Aqua” and I thought that Edu and Felipe would have their hands pretty tide up with the studio and live obligations. But, Edu is obviously a workaholic (in a good way) and could not stand still so two years after the impressive “Fragile Equality” he is back with ALMAH’s third album.

This album features the same lineup with the previous one so it is safe to say that we can no longer consider ALMAH as a project or even Edu’s solo band. This is the real thing and after listening to the album many times I can conclude from the beginning that it has a solid sound with a specific character. Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I did not realize that specific character with the album opener , "Hypnotized", that literally blew my shocks off. Edu’s screams and aggressive singing style are two things totally new for my ANGRA oriented ears. First of all, I have to state that I am a huge fan of his voice and I am one of those ANGRA fans who believe that “Rebirth” was an amazing album and that Edu managed to add his personal style behind the mic without trying to be a André Matos wanna be. Musically this song is fast and heavy and it would be an exaggeration to say there is that special PANTERA-esque groove in the rhythm guitars. But, don’t jump into silly conclusions since the amazing “Living And Drifting” follows. Here, the vocal lines are extremely addictive while the up-tempo groove will surely bring some early STRATOVARIUS memories enhanced by the keyboard melodic layers. It would be a joke to comment on the lead guitar work that is yet again excellent featuring fast phrases and complicated riffs. I won’t use the term ‘Progressive’ since the guitar duo has managed the ‘taste logistics’ by not over-doing the complexity in the leads balancing melody and complexity keeping the listener always on track.

To my delight the Brazilian melody virus is still present in the way we have learned to love in ANGRA. Without losing an inch in terms of heaviness ALMAH are capable to deliver strong melodies mainly through Edu’s impressive performance and the exact dose of keyboards. Listen to the almost ballad “Bullets On The Altar” and if this is done carefully you might spot some PARADISE LOST keyboards from the “One Second” days. So, melody is definitely not missing from “Motion” but at the same time this was not surprise taking into account the musical background of the band members. But, songs like “Zombies Dictator” or “Soul Alight” (great drum work here) are killer surprises where the Zakk Wylde vibrato, the PANTERA groove and on top of them Edu aggressive way of singing make a striking difference in this album. Aside of the aforementioned heaviness there so slower songs like the excellent “Late Night in '85” with great clean guitar work that for some reason reminded me of MEGADETH’s “Youthanasia” album (you have to figure out yourself).

There is no space to doubt that ALMAH have solidified their sound getting farther than their previous two albums. There is a fresh breeze in “Motion” that will surprise everyone and especially those who are mistakenly considering ALMAH as ANGRA’s substitution.

8/10

Links:

www.Almah.Com.Br
www.Facebook.Com/Official.Almah
www.MySpace.Com/AlmahEduFalaschi

Tracklist:

01. Hypnotized
02. Living And Drifting
03. Days Of The New
04. Bullets On The Altar
05. Zombies Dictator
06. Trace Of Trait
07. Soul Alight
08. Late Night In '85
09. Daydream Lucidity
10. When And Why

Lineup:

Marcelo Moreira - Drums
Paulo Schroeber - Guitars
Marcelo Barbosa - Guitars
Edu Falaschi -  Vocals
Felipe Andreoli - Bass

Written by Dimitris Kontogeorgakos Thursday, 06 October 2011 18:30