| Musical Style: Power Metal | Produced By: Adiastasia |
| Record Label: Bombworks | Country Of Origin: Brazil |
| Year Released: 2006 | Artist Website: Adiastasia |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 59:00 |
A literal flood of Christian metal bands have come out of Brazil in recent years. And Adiastasia, with its double bass driven brand of power metal, is the next in line in what has been at times an erratic and at others a very rewarding succession of talent to arrive from the country in question: Belica, Destra, Dracma, Dynasty, Eterna, Seven Angels, Shining Star, Stauros, Sunroad and many others. So how does Adiastasia measure up? Quite well, as a matter of fact. Easily inviting a comparison to Stratovarius, Helloween and Gamma Ray but certain to also appeal to fans of Seventh Avenue, Divinefire and Dynasty, Adiastasia combines elements of speed and aggression with occasional symphonic and progressive touches to create quite the powerful 2006 full length debut Life War. Some of the albums best moments can be found on mid-tempo power metal numbers such as “A Terra” and “Adiastasia” – both standing out with their catchy hooks – in addition to the progressive leanings found on the ballad “The Winner”. “Father Of Light” and “Kingdom Of Glory”, on the other hand, deliver an abundance of fast paced and upbeat momentum that stand in perfect contrast to “Freedom Call” and “By Dreams”, two slower ballads that actually tend to drag a bit due to being carried out perhaps a minute or two too long.
Adiastasia is based around the classic tenor vocal style of Jeff Winner. Occasionally cutting loose in operatic and at times high pitched falsetto fashion, Winner puts forth quite the professional performance that at times brings to mind Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) or even Rob Rock (Impellitteri). Janinho Di’Nizz delivers the goods on rhythm and lead guitar as well, adorning the album with his tight as a nail and at times fluid style of playing. As a matter of fact, Adiastasia must be commended for the confidence it exhibits in its instrumental sound, best showcased on the abundant instrumental sections gracing “The Winner”, “Father Of Light”, “Kingdom Of Glory” and “A Terra”. Ryvson Lacerda adds the needed touch on keyboards, while the rhythm section of bassist Joab Marynne and drummer Dinho Caetano anchors the low end strong and steady.
Production values, coming across crisp and clean but slightly raw, are not a detracting factor but would improve if a touch of polish had been added to brighten up the mix.
“Guerra Della Vita” is a keyboard driven instrumental album opener with an orchestral feel.
“Father Of Light” commences to a pounding riff backed by medieval flavored vocal harmonies before taking off in double bass driven fashion. Maintaining the vibrant momentum during its verse portions, the song smoothly transitions to a sweeping chorus detailing the person of Christ:
He’s the way, He’s the Savior of this world
He’s alive, He’s the greatest miracle of the Lord
He’s the Father of Light, He’s the Way, the Truth, the Life
A lead guitar and keyboard trade off shores up an extensive instrumental section.
“The Fellowship” immediately kicks in at an upbeat tempo, galloping through its first and second verse to a tireless riff only to taper off for a decisive chorus in which Jeff Winner makes good use of his high end vocal abilities. The lead guitar helps lead the way through a minute long instrumental section.
The pace slows down a bit with the semi ballad “Freedom Call”. The song begins its first verse quietly before a crisp sounding rhythm guitar gains a hold of the mix, gradually leading the way until a flowing chorus with a heavy and driving feel is obtained. “Freedom Call”, while far from bad, actually falls a bit flat and, as a result, would have stood out further if giving rise to a melody of a more noteworthy nature. Beautiful message here, though:
Fly forever with the wings of Light
Now we can dream, now I say
We’re alive by the grace
Now we can live to You Lord
By Your sacrifice, sacrifice
Getting underway to a symphonic flavored blend of rhythm guitar and keyboards, “Eternal Life” drives its way forward at a sublime mid-tempo pace. Briefly pausing for a passage fortified by backing vocals with a medieval feel, the song culminates as it reaches a quickly moving chorus underlined by double bass.
An all out double bass driven riff launches “Kingdom Of Glory”, an abundance of frenzied initiative urging the song ahead until it acquires a fleeting chorus carried at an energetic upbeat tempo. The driving blend of rhythm guitar and keyboards opening a minute and a half long instrumental section gives way to a blazing guitar solo. The subject matter here is spiritual warfare:
Angels fighting together, humans day by day
Asking mercy in the silence for the mission of the warrior
Hey, what are you waiting to understand?
Hear the kingdom of glory calling you to be a warrior
A quietly played guitar gently compels the ballad “By Dreams” through its first verse. Picking up in pace, the song evenly moves on to an ambient chorus fortified by a touch of militant style drums. As “By Dreams” gains further impetus during its second verse, the rhythm guitar steps forward in time to reinforce its second chorus with just the right amount of edge. “By Dreams”, similar to “Freedom Call”, is not a bad composition but it tends to lag a bit, one of the main reasons being it is on the long winded side due to coming in at over seven minutes. There are very few ballads of this length that are able to keep my full attention.
“A Terra” is the only piece here with lead vocals in Portuguese (an English translation is not provided). An epic environment is put in place as the song takes off in a stately manner, cutting a path of deliberate mid-tempo impetus before picking up in pace as a trace of keyboards highlights a lofty chorus with a huge, catchy hook. Adiastasia once again shines throughout another sweeping instrumental section in which it displays the copious strength of its musicianship. Great song.
“Adiastasia”, the bands signature track, chops its way forward to an ominous sounding riff as synthesizers decorate the background. Once the rhythm guitar moves to a forward place in the mix upon reaching its first verse, however, the song is pushed ahead hard and heavy until acquiring a catchy but energetically driven chorus with an overriding worshipful feel:
When the evil comes I claim to save my life
The name of the hero, lord of heroes Jesus Christ
Son of the Man, son of the Father of the Light
The Adiastasia, perfect glory of the Lord, praise the Lord
I enjoy how the song tapers off to medieval vocal harmonies that give way to an instrumental section sustained by a technical guitar solo.
“The Winner” is the albums second ballad to come in at past seven minutes. A piano gently propels the song through its first verse until the rhythm guitar crashes into the mix, underscoring the chorus that follows in perfect resounding and emotional fashion. The song is effectively divided into two parts, with the second being an instrumental section closing out its final two and a half minutes. Some of the albums finest moments, as a matter of fact, take place here as a crisp rhythm guitar is accentuated by a blend of double bass and piano.
The album closes with the mostly spoken word piece “Consumatum Est”.
The music on Life War is expertly performed and leaves little doubt as to the abilities of this talented five piece until from Brazil. While the band best showcases its potential on “A Terra”, “Adiastasia” and “The Winner”, the album, however, tends to drag in places. Several songs, for example, fall a bit flat - – “Freedom Call” and “By Dreams” being the most noteworthy – and many others border on being great but do not quite deliver a hook strong enough to always put them over the top. This is an area reflecting the bands obvious lack of experience and any project it records in the future is certain to demonstrate a marked level of improvement. With that in mind, I am eagerly anticipating Adiastia’s follow up release.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Guerra Della Vita” (2:24), “Father Of Light” (5:58), “The Fellowship” (5:08), “Freedom Call” (6:40), “Eternal Life” (4:21), “Kingdom Of Glory” (5:24), “By Dreams” (7:06), “A Terra” (6:49), “Adiastasia” (6:39), “The Winner” (7:02), “Consumatum Est” (1:22)
Musicians
Jeff Winner – Lead Vocals
Janinho Di’Nizz – Guitars
Ryvson Lacerda – Keyboards
Joab Marynne – Bass
Dinho Caetano – Drums
Guest Musicians
Leandro Farias - Guitars
