Kattah - Lapis Lazuli

This Kattah makes some good Brazilian metal with a unique Middle Eastern twist. Sweet album cover too.It's no secret to metalheads that Brazil is a hotbed of genre talent; they clearly take their music seriously and know how to rock a casa. And one of the cool aspects of metal in other countries is how their local musical influences make their way into what becomes a new permutation of the metal formula. Kattah is a great example of this, as heard on their sophomore release, Lapis Lazuli.

Not only do they incorporate traditional music in their writing like fellow metallers Angra (who was impressed enough to ask Kattah to join them on their 2011 tour), but lead singer Roni Sauaf proposed the idea of adding Arabian aspects to the band's style to founders Victor Brochard (guitars) and Cristian Alex (drums). The name itself is supposed to represent an Arabian aura. In any case this is some great Brazilian heavy metal in the aforementioned Angra vein, replete with chugging Iron Maiden style riffage, great melodic solo shreddage, and some of that Arabian influence that adds a nice flavor to the formula. What more do you need?

The Bottom Line: If you're a fan of that South of the border metal sound that is so perfectly embodied in the music of bands like Angra, you'll probably want to check out this album. Not saying they're a rip-off, just that they take what's become a regional sound and added their own unique something to it that's really worth a listen.

- Genghis would have loved to see that tour (Angra/Kattah), you betcha...