Metanoia started in early 2011 and is comprised of Benjamin Lopez (bass, lead vocals), Diego R. (lead guitar, backing vocals), Claudio Bolivar (rhythm guitar) and Cristobal Lopez (drums). There are several different meanings behind the name ‘Metanoia’, with the most common being repentance. The band’s take on it is as the change in focus, mind and life brought about by having Jesus in their lives. Their style is energetic skate punk and sees them compared to Dogwood, Pennywise, NOFX and Millencolin (or even a meatier version of MxPx)
Their lyrics are entirely in Spanish, which provides a challenge that I’m willing to meet. But that shouldn’t put you off as the quality of the songs is excellent. This is all the more surprising seeing as this is their debut album …. these guys must have been honing their skills for some time before launching themselves.
Opening with the highly charged ‘Evidente’ (Evidence) with its tumultuous riffs as they declare “Do you really believe that everything you see is just the product of chance, coincidence / Are you really going to argue that galaxies and planets are a probability”.
This is followed by the more melodic ‘Retroceder Nunca’ (Never Retreat) and the smouldering, jagged guitar and gang vocals in ‘Inútil’ (Useless).
“You know the truth but you keep it to yourself / You’re useless / Glad someone told you but you won’t tell anybody else / You’re useless / God gave you life and He took away your pain / You’re useless / While you sit and watch your friends die every day / You’re useless”
One of my favourites is ‘Te Amo’ (I Love You) which is not a soppy love song, but rather a declaration of God’s love for us and includes an incendiary reading from Psalm 36:7-8.
There are some lighter moments in all this seriousness with ‘Peluquero’ (Barber) being about visiting the hairdresser and having a tongue-in-cheek discussion about the existence of God. And there is a left-field turn to ‘No Me Averguenzo’ (Not Ashamed) where it builds to a noisy climax and then slips in a jazzy piano and funky bass ending.
The sheer exuberance of their music has put a smile on my face. And seen it played repeatedly.
Rating: 9/10
Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby
Tracklist:
1. Evidente (Evidence)
2. Retroceder Nunca (Never Retreat)
3. Inútil (Useless)
4. Peluquero (Barber)
5. Día Nuevo (New Day)
6. Te Amo (I Love You)
7. Este Es Tu Hogar (This Is home)
8. Otra Dimensión (Another Dimension)
9. No Me Avergüenzo (Not Ashamed)
10. Sin Palabras (Speechless)
Band members:
Benjamin Lopez – bass, lead vocals
Diego R. – lead guitar, backing vocals
Claudio Bolivar – rhythm guitar
Cristobal Lopez – drums
Record Label: ThumperPunk Records, Sept. 2012
Buy the album here:
Holland & Worldwide: First Paradox Metalrecords
Video below: Te Amo (I Love You)
AWESOME!!! thank you very much for your review Peter!! Cool that you liked ‘Never Retreat’! Our coming album is gonna get a 10/10 for shure hehehe.
blessings from Chile