| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Tiago Souza |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: Brazil & USA |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 45:44 |
Billed as a collaborative effort between Brazilian vocalist and composer Paulo Lima and United States based multi-instrumentalist Tiago Souza, Through The Clouds represents one of an ever expanding host of what I like to refer to as ‘multi-national’ bands. No stranger to the phenomena is Souza, having aligned with New Zealand vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride) on his other ‘multi national’ project Perpetual Paranoia to create the joining of heavy metal and thrash of its 2018 Retroactive Records (and 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed) debut The Reapers. Example either way attests how our interconnected digital world allows bands to work ‘remotely’ despite its members being on the opposite ends of the planet and not sharing the same studio roof.
Which brings us back to Through The Clouds, a self-designated ‘long distance project’ (as referenced in its press material) that draws upon the musical influences of each of its members respective bands - Vintage Machine & Rocklass (in terms of Lima) and Hand Of Fire & Perpetual Paranoia (noting Souza) - on its fall of 2018 Roxx Records debut full length Blinded Minds. Fallout is a prototypical example of power meets traditional heavy metal that when at its best is good as it gets as far as either genre concerns. Yet, go beneath the surface and you will find more than meets the eye in the form of the progressive, bluesy hard rock and even classic rock nuances that play every bit the role in defining the Through The Clouds sound.
Blinded Minds could not get off to a stronger start than with the eight-minute progressiveness to “Crossfire”. The song begins to a two and a half minute instrumental build up which segues from gunfire and sirens to double-kick drum and bracing guitars, with impetus tempering for the initial verses as Lima exhibits his raspy tinged with bluesy soul vocal abilities. Chorus, in contrast, ups tempo with its sleekly woven but (very) catchy form. Souza’s heated lead guitar brings out the best in a cut I like to define as a technical driven monster (one of the albums best).
Albums title track represents second great song in a row. I love how “Blinded Minds” begins to several seconds of Sabbath-like riffing backed by organ and keyboards - sort of like Place Of Skulls” - prior to grooving ahead in giving prominence to equal parts bluesy aesthetic and prodigious melody. The songs laid back demeanor further manifests in the ominous chill to the instrumental moments.
Blinded Minds takes a step back on “Make Your Choice”, one of a couple of tracks not to do it for me. This one takes an eighties melodic metal approach in comparison, with forwardly done keyboards (that to these ears sound out of place) and pulsating double bass joining periodic hints of organ to create an up-tempo effect. “Make Your Choice” also serves to highlight the albums drawback in terms of production, particularly relating to how guitars come across a bit thin (they deserve to be beefed up in places).
Third great song follows in “Better Way”, a mournful and solemn plodder that - and I hope I am not out of line to suggest - actually brings a grungy Alice In Chains like vibe, noting how Lima lowers his register to fit the deeply woven landscape at hand. One of the albums stronger melodies suggest of the radio friendly, at least as far as 1995 is concerned! Yet, the melodic soloing allows the song to be every bit relevant in current hard music climes.
Second song in which I struggle ensues in “Lost”. What we have is the Through The Clouds attempt at a ballad, which while by no means bad with its acoustic form and instrumental passage to feature harmonica, also comes with another keyboard mix to come across awkward. Gist is a slight lounge feel to the song that more often than not compels me to skip ahead.
Good news is that the album closes to three solid cuts beginning with hard rocker “Unforgiven”. Group wears its traditional metal influences on its sleeves here, with a snarling guitar mix almost lending a thrash touch and a ton of bluesy groove underpinnings as Lima leads the way with a resounding ‘come on!’ Keyed up, full of energy and bristling with vim is the feel at hand.
Likewise with “Hard Times”, starting to a drum solo and animated bass only to power ahead to the combative riffing to push its distance in fleetly moving fashion. Energy levels are off the charts as double kick drum leads the way alongside a stretch of fiercely done lead guitar from Souza. Prime Saint could not do it any better.
“Wondering” takes a mellower musical heading akin to “Lost” but much better, at least my opinion. The group takes opportune to display its classic rock inclining, yielding a laid back and easy-going piece inherent to acoustic guitar and organ but with a finely done Spanish guitar solo instrumentally. Yet, I might have preferred another metal slugfest but this one stands on its own all the same.
Closing Blinded Minds is a nicely done acoustic reprise to its title track.
Lyrics hint of the faith of Lima and Souza, with former thanking ‘God above all’ in the liner notes and latter “God for giving me the talent and passion for music’.
“Make Your Choice”:
You must have strength, just be courageous
Look within yourself
Future’s not the present
You decide which course you take
There’s a Light guiding each one of us
Help yourself and heaven will help you
“Hard Times”:
You lose confidence in what’s right
In the mist you want the Light
To guide your steps from the lie
The innocence hurts some minds
Poor in spirit, they don’t fight
Exchange an entire life for aims
“Better Way”:
When you’re feeling alone
I will let you know
I’m your safe haven
I will never let you go
Love I have for your soul
It’s stronger than you know
It’s not a question of pride
It’s a matter to survive
Through The Clouds debut Blinded Minds equates to a somewhat uneven effort. At best, its musically brilliant, noting top of the line tracks “Crossfire”, “Blinded Minds” and “Better Way”, but can also divulge some average to good material that I have failed to warm up to with repeat play. Everything in between is quite good. Production, as noted, could use some refinement in regards to rhythm guitar and keyboard mix. Still, I hope to see a follow up effort from Lima and Souza in that the albums more notable material hints of better things to come.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Crossfire” (7:53), “Blinded Minds” (5:18), “Make Your Choice” (4:16), “Better Way” (7:06), “Lost” (5:36), “Unforgiven” (4:23), “Hard Times” (3:58), “Wondering” (5:54), “Blinded Minds (Reprise)” (1:20)
Musicians
Paulo Lima - Lead Vocals
Tiago Souza - All Instrumentals
Additional Musicians
Wagner “Capucho” Arruda - Drums
