Label: earMusic/Edel 2012
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
Oh happy, happy, joy, joy? It's the former Angra vocalist Andre Matos' and his third solo album "The Turn Of The Lights". But in reality, it's more of the standard band effort. The vast majority of the songs on the album is written and performed in collaboration with his backing band... and especially the two lead guitarists Andre Zaza Hernandes (also ex-Angra), Hugo Mariutti (Viper), and bassist Bruno Ladislau. Hence why it's also a stronger effort than previous attempts at the "happy" metal.
Actually, the material is slightly moodier and darker than before and it's not all about galloping power metal 'ala Helloween. It's apparent that the sound is more varied and based upon splashes of different rock colours rather than merely just happy metal. To tout Andre Matos and co. as the traditional eighties power metal act is to do them an injustice. From time to time, intentional or not, you may actually pick up the occasional Goth and Midge Ure influence. Not to mention that the Edel/ear-music Euro edition comes with the Radiohead bonus cover track (Fake Plastic Trees).
Indeed, the material is overall pretty solid. Thumping melodic-metal with plenty of harmony leads and orchestral arrangements. Still not completely sold on his singing accent at times and there's still room for improvements.
www.andrematos.net
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