Almah - Unfold

Damn, if those Brazilians don't know how to rock some world class prog/power metal. And how have I never heard of Almah before?Listen, it's no secret in the metal world that South America has had some serious players in the game for decades now. And one of those players are the Brazliian progmetal masters of Angra. Over the course of the last 20 years they've made some really great metal, spawning some pretty great bands in the process, the latest being Almah.

Edu Falaschi, having handled lead vocal duties in Angra since 2001's Rebirth, has since left to focus on Almah, which began as a solo project. Interestingly, Almah has put out as many records since their self-titled debut in 2006 as Angra put out Edu when sang for them. Whether that has anything to do with his decision I have no way of knowing, but I couldn't be happier with Almah's latest album, Unfold, which is quite simply: fucking phenomenal.

Seriously, this album sounds amazing from start to finish. From the thundering drum intro of the proggy opener In My Sleep you get an immediate sense of the power stirring within this album. And the rest of the album rarely lets up on the throttle after that, save for a couple of introspective moments like Warm Wind, the opening of Treasure of Gods, and the closer Farewell. In particular, some inspired moments of out and out metal glory can found in tracks like the anthemic You Gotta Stand, with its Alice In Chainsey harmonized vocals and a larger than life guitar tone that's so ballsy you just know it's gonna rock the fuck out of any live show they unleash it on. What an album.

The Bottom Line: This is state of the art Brazilian power/prog metal, so if you are looking for a fix waiting for the next Angra - and for some reason haven't already heard of Almah, get. on. this. shit. right. now.

Tracks To Make You Spontaneously Yell "É nóis na fita, mano!": The whole damned album

- Genghis now assumes they just hand Brazilian babies a guitar when they're born (Crimeny!)...