Première today in Akiesú!
I have in my hands the new BARBARIAN PROPHECIES's album. Lacking a better review -that I won't dare to wirte since I'm not very experienced on this-, let me give you some hints of what their new work.This is their second album, titled "XIII". It's been recorded and produced by Carlos Santos (Sadman Studios, Madrid), and mastered by Mika Jussila (Children of Bodom, Stratovarius, Muro, Warcry, Finntroll...) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. "XIII" will be out very soon through the label WormHoleDeath.
The band's line-up consists on: Óscar Besteiro (guitar and vocals), Manuel Riguera (bass), Julio G. Valladares (drums), Arnt Bünz (guitar) y Kike Rodríguez (vocals). Besides, in "XIII" they've had some guests to collaborate on some of the songs, like Óscar Insua "Jumpin", with a solo on "Embrace of Insanity" and solo and vocals on "Engulfed" (a track by Absorbed, his own band twenty years ago, and one of the first death metal Spanish bands); Raúl Muradás (Ever Dream), with a composition for piano and strings on "The Hidden"; and David Muñoz (Chamán), with another solo on "Embrace of Insanity", asides of the whole artwork for the album.
The album starts with "The Hidden", where a melancholic piano melody give way to the heavy guitars, led by the accelerated rhythm marked by Mr. Valladares. These growls sound absolutely deep, coming from the darkest place of some cave. A more-than-interesting proposal in which parts of moderate speed and sinister tone alternate with the frantic, and growls and screams that really give me the creeps -and you'll find it all along the wholerecord!
I'd remark "Embrace of Insanity", "Punishment of Oblivion" and "Nine Days of Storm", with that smooth intro that leads us into the longest track of the album, the one that sounds somewhat more different to me... Maybe because, having some more minutes, it contributes to add some other variations; maybe because of the more moderate beginning, a little break for my neck; but don't fool yourselves, I've never meant to imply "cheesy". Surprise in the ending track.
Take the darkness and heaviness from death, the overwhelming speed from thrash and incredible riffs and solos; then put it all together. The result is a more than interesanting album, either from the musical perspective or if you just want to release some adrenaline and headbang until you fall. A consistent album, with compact sound and good songwriting. At the height of any international production. Who says there isn't quality in Spain?
www.facebook.com/barbarianprophecies
I'd remark "Embrace of Insanity", "Punishment of Oblivion" and "Nine Days of Storm", with that smooth intro that leads us into the longest track of the album, the one that sounds somewhat more different to me... Maybe because, having some more minutes, it contributes to add some other variations; maybe because of the more moderate beginning, a little break for my neck; but don't fool yourselves, I've never meant to imply "cheesy". Surprise in the ending track.
Take the darkness and heaviness from death, the overwhelming speed from thrash and incredible riffs and solos; then put it all together. The result is a more than interesanting album, either from the musical perspective or if you just want to release some adrenaline and headbang until you fall. A consistent album, with compact sound and good songwriting. At the height of any international production. Who says there isn't quality in Spain?
Judith Sáez
www.facebook.com/barbarianprophecies
