We continue celebrating the anniversary of "Sign Of The Times" with the words many of you dedicated to it in its day. Today it's Esteban Leyva's turn for our good friends at The Metal Family. Thank you very much for giving him such a privileged space in your home!
The band's musical side sounds good, and is made up of Edu Mota on guitar—for me, the best of the bunch—Antonio Moreno on bass, and José Carlos Mota on drums. Their vocalist, Fran da Conceiçao, possesses a very powerful voice, with qualities and a great voice that many would love to have. It's possible that, if he were to take a little more care with the higher tones and some tuning changes, he'd be the perfect vocalist. A cross between the best Kiske and the best Geoff Tate.
After an epic intro, very much in keeping with the beginnings of a power metal classic, the album kicks off with a song featuring a powerful chorus, neoclassical guitars, and a JUDAS-esque part mixed with very power metal ingredients. "(Another) Fallen Angel" is a perfect opening. A sonic projectile.
"In Aeternum" is terrific, with a very good solo and very well-crafted vocal lines with great power. It's one of the most powerful tracks on the album. It reminds me of CRIMSON GLORY, and it's my favorite track on the album. Fran da Conceiçao sings beautifully on it, with style and great drive.
"Love Song" is one of the power anthems on "Sign of the Times." It's also one of my favorites; it has a great melody and a 100% effective chorus.
"Unhuman Kind" sounds very "PRIEST-like," very heavy and heavy. And "Sign of the Times," divided into four parts, is the best on the album. In these four parts, the band delivers, demonstrating that their power metal has nuances, metal, delicate instrumental fragments, and quality.
Of the four parts, I prefer the third, "A Titans Testimony," in a very QUEENSRYCHE vein from their early days, with a very heavy riff and a very feisty Fran.
The second part, "A Crimson Awakening," is powerful, and sounds somewhere between VIRGIN STEEL and even MANOWAR. Very heavy guitars and Fran trying to emulate the best of Eric Adams.
It's a great return, without a doubt. Powerful power is their thing. I'm sure that, with work, performances, and support, TWILIGHT and their "Sign of the Times" will finally explode.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=SqSc9nn8Yzg&t=1189s
Official promo video:
youtube.com/watch?v=_xg5xlSfCwI
