The 6th album of this Argentinian power metal sensation!
Once, someone told me that Beto Vazquez was Tarja Turunen's husband, and I didn't believe it. Could it be true? However, what is certain is that his music is marked by symphonic power metal, although listening to this album reveals much more.
Some consider them the Avantasia of Argentina, and Beto's creative genius is compared to that of Arjen Anthony Lucassen. A little more money would have been all it took for the production and mastering to be truly top-notch, although that's how the composer himself wanted it.
For two years, Beto worked on this album, seeking collaborations, primarily from the Americas. The result is a 10-song album that blends American-style power metal reminiscent of Chastain with symphonic elements from European bands, adding melancholic and depressive moments that border on Lacrimosa.
This is a concept album that deals with humanity's missteps that are leading us to extinction. “Man At War” is the standout track, showcasing the album's initial power with moments of speed metal, while “Breaking The Silence” is much heavier in its rhythm. Christian Bertoncelli of Renacer sings on this track. Two very good pieces that, even so, don't foreshadow what's to come.
It's with “Embrace The Pain” that there's a shift, even a change in the timbres of the instruments. Brunella's guttural vocals alternate with Daiana's clean vocals, the band's two singers. Undoubtedly an exquisite piece, which leads into “Evolution,” reminiscent of Beto's earlier albums. Guests include Gabriele Crisafulli from Italy, Joad Manuel Jiménez, vocalist of the Black Sabbath tribute band, War Pigs from Venezuela, and Roberto “Brodo” Potenti on bass from the Italian band Skylark.
These are the moments of gloomy darkness in "Hate," a track that, while not entirely successful in my opinion, is nonetheless impressive. "Master of Fools" contrasts with its air of kindness, featuring the vocals of Sergio Mazul and Mizuho Lin from the Brazilian band Semblant. Meanwhile, the modern riff of "Stop," with its semi-industrial touch, gives way to a truly sinister vocal line.
"The Letter" adds a touch more sadness to the album, with lyrics about the loss of a loved one in war. It features the heart-wrenching vocals of Giulia Morgana Penzo from the Italian band Overcrown, and David Pérez, a member of the Spanish band Wrong, contributes a deeply felt guitar solo.
The title track, "Humanity," treads the path of traditional power metal with a locomotive-like drumbeat. It's the most conventional song on an album that concludes with "Sweet Northern Soul," where a piano and background sounds evoke the image of a ghost. The male vocals are top-notch in a piece that functions as a choral work, featuring several guest artists such as singers Santiago Bürgi from Eleventh Ocean, Jessica Lehto from the Finnish band Factory Of Dream, Gaby Koss from Coronatus in Germany, our admired Vanessa Nane Marin from Crownless and Doxa in Spain, Tessa Neumann from Argentina, and Chiara Malvestiti from the Italian band Crysalis. Patricio Molini from the band Nórdica adds keyboards, and Carlos Ciuffardi plays guitar, accompanying Beto and his bandmates in live performances.
Upon finishing this piece, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of talents, demonstrating that human beings can achieve anything their dreams take them. The album was recorded and mixed at Master 10 Studio by Beto Vazquez between 2017 and 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mastering was done by Gonzalo Iglesias at Abismo Estudios in 2018.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=a7y78xtGDY4
