SoulSpell is a Power Metal Opera Band from Lençóis Paulista, Brazil and on the 12th of October, they release their third album: “Hollow’s Gathering”. Good news from Brazil?
Soulspell is started by drummer Heleno Vale, and he released their first album “Legacy of Honor” in 2008, followed by “Labyrinth of Truths” in 2010. Their third album tells a story about the conflicts of human emotions. The different characters are played by many different vocalists. The list of vocalists is impressive, from ex-Iron Maiden, Helloween, Avantasia and Theocracy.
The album contains 10 songs with a total playing time of over 55 min.
The album kicks off with the song “Hollow Gathering” with some nice clean female vocals to start, them to follow by a nice heavy sound followed up by some great guitar solos. Yeeeaahh, this sounds really good! The vocals are alternated by female vocals and male (screaming) vocals. Its very melodic and also symphonic. Listening to this, there are some similarities to Dream Theater and Blind Guardian, but different. Its lingering, fascinating, intriguing. You think you got the music, but no, off they go, alternating fast playing with chanting.
“A Rescue into the Storm” starts with nice calm vocals, male and female. The songs build up with great vocals, great guitars riffs supported by great drumming and basses. “To Crawl or to Fly” starts with some prominent bass playing and female vocalist. And then off they go, the sound is so good. Heavy and melodic and great keyboard solo’s followed by great guitar solo’s. “Anymore” starts with an acoustic guitar and some female chanting and singing. It develops into a kind of ballad, very beautiful. But over half the song, power kicks in! The end built off to a very nice and calm end. “Adrians Call” is a bit a faster song with some remarkable vocals, supported by great guitar playing.
“Change the Tide” kicks off fast with fast drums, guitars and bass. Then the sharp voice joins in. This sounds good! Power Metaaaaal! Avantasia is the band which drops in my mind listening to this, but different, better! Oeps, what did I just say! “From Hell” tells a dark voice story. “The Keepers Game” has a powerful vocalist, a nice faster song. “The dead Three” starts of very quick with nice and fast double basses and guitars and keep up the pace. Some nice keys slow it down, but not for long. It continues full force with great guitar solo’s till a sudden eye in the hurricane. Here a great female vocalist continues supported by a classical piano, only for a while, where after the hurricane continues.
“Whispers inside You” start with a classic piano and nice clean vocals, sung very beautiful. It continues like this, and closes the album with the classic piano.
To come to a conclusion: this is top quality from Basil. All hail Brazil! The album is emotional, heavy, never boring, fast, slow, technical, musically complete. Excellent!!!
Recommendation to readers: Buy!
Rating: 9/10
Tracklist:
01. Hollow’s Gathering
02. A Rescue Into the Storm
03. To Crawl Or to Fly
04. Anymore
05. Adrian’s Call
06. Change the Tide
07. From Hell
08. The Keeper’s Game
09. The Dead Tree
10. Whispers Inside You
Line-up:
Vocalists:
Amanda Somerville [Avantasia, Trillium]
Blaze Bayley [ex. Iron Maiden]
Carlos Zema [ex. Outworld]
Daísa Munhoz [Vandroya]
Gui Antonioli
Iuri Sanson [Hibria]
Jefferson Albert [Vandroya]
Leandro Caçoilo [ex. Eterna]
Lígia Ishitani
Lucas Martins
Manuela Saggioro
Mário Pastore [Pastore]
Matt Smith [Theocracy]
Michel Souza
Michael Vescera [ex. Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen, Animetal USA]
Nando Fernandes [ex. Hangar]
Pedro Campos
Tito Falaschi [Almah]
Tim “Ripper” Owens [ex. Judas Priest, Iced Earth]
Victor Emeka
Musicians:
Cleiton Carvalho – Guitar
Edu Santos – Drums
Fábio Laguna – Keyboards
Fernando Giovannetti – Bass
Frank Tischer [Avantasia, Edguy] – Piano
Gabriel Magioni – Keyboards
Gabriel Viotto – Drums
Heleno Vale – Drums
Leandro Erba – Guitar
Marco Lambert [Vandroya] – Guitar
Markus Grosskopf – Bass
Rodolfo Pagotto [Vandroya] – Guitar
Rollie Feldman [Circle II Circle] – Guitar
Thiago Amendola – Guitar
Tito Falaschi [Almah] – Bass
Discography:
“Just Let the Time Flows…” Demo (2006)
“A Legacy of Honor” (2008)
“The Labyrinth of Truths” (2010)
“Hollow’s Gathering” (2012)
Mixed by: Matt Smith [Theocracy] at Theocracized Studios
Mastered by: Miro at Gate Studio [Kamelot, Rhapsody, Avantasia]
Produced by: Tito Falaschi [Angra, Almah]
Artwork by: Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth]
Record Label: Inner Wound Recordings, Oct. 2012