Argentine imports aren't exactly common in the bargain bin, so I was already quite happy to find this, but I wasn't expecting to be this impressed by an unfamiliar band's dollar CD. This is the best power metal (that I wasn't previously familiar with) I've heard in recent memory, and has to be one of the best power metal albums released after the early '90s. Considering the modern state of the genre, I realize that may not even be a terribly high bar, but still.
Teeming with classic metal influences, this is generally fast and powerful stuff. The guitarwork is excellent and gets quite showy and flashy with lots of shredding solos, but the greatest moments are the tandem axework, such as in "El tiempo final." I'm not advocating trying to take back the term in any way, as that would be a fool's errand, but to me this exemplifies what power metal was meant to be and should have been--a beefing up of traditional metal to make it more bombastic and contemporary.
I only have two mild criticisms, both extremely minor. The female singer is fine and there's nothing in the performance that detracts from the album. But due to the strength of the songs, I couldn't help but imagine a singer with more range and power. Also, the intro is just some generic symphonic stuff that seems very underwhelming. The only reason I'm even bothering to specifically gripe about the intro is because the outro track "Majestad" is a fantastic, triumphant-sounding closing flourish.
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