| Musical Style: Power/Progressive Metal | Produced By: Allan Wallace & Junior Oliveira |
| Record Label: Independent / Girder Records | Country Of Origin: Brazil |
| Year Released: 2012 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 / 17 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 41:49 / 77:39 |
Here’s a What If for you: If you take a foundation of epic and symphonic power metal and fuse it with neo-classical, progressive, and speed metal overtones - sort of like the best aspects of Theocracy, Narnia, Golden Resurrection and Perpetual Legacy rolled into one - would anyone step to that plate? No doubt, this reviewer would be the first to volunteer!
Fans of the previously referenced bands and styles therein would do themselves a favor by checking out Spiritual Battle, the independently released 2012 full-length debut of Belo Horizonte, Brazil based Allos. The group proves one of the better ‘diamonds” in what has been at times a ‘rough’ Brazilian Christian metal scene, but to its credit sidestep many of the pitfalls holding the region back as it pertains to shaky production, shaky vocals and uneven songwriting.
One of the standout qualities to Spiritual Battle is its consistency from presenting with no skip buttons or filler tracks. Rather, you will encounter seven full-length pieces and two short instrumentals in which Allos artfully traverses power and progressive metal territory with an element of variety thrown in!
With the original release long out of print, Spiritual Battle was re-mastered and reissued by Girder Records on Deluxe Edition CD (June of 2025 release) and ‘Emerald Warfare’ Limited Edition Vinyl (July release). CD version features seven (mostly) instrumental bonus tracks, while vinyl includes the original nine songs. Production to the initial version sounds fine, but the additional polish from the Girder re-mastering takes things to the next level in the form of more pronounced low-end, cleaner guitar mix and added keyboard sheen.
Forty-second opening cinematic keyboard instrumental “Unknown World” gives way to first full-length vocal cut, “Mirror Of Deep Waters”. Song represents a good indicator of the Allos sound, revealed in its joining of orchestral elements, classical keyboards and turbulent guitars. Chorus revels in the succinct but euphoniously done, while assertive guitar leads and keyboards duel instrumentally. A good point of reference is Golden Resurrection.
“Power Of Choice” moves at an added forthright tempo. It presents with its share of variances, as an over-the-top epic founding coalesces with neo-classical overtures (noting the extended instrumental interlude), Latin choir vocals (that lend an operatic feel) and double kick drum driven chorus (building upon the expeditious scene). Topping things off is a keyboard line that brings to mind Theocracy cut “Ichthus” (off the 2003 self-titled debut). Lyric snippet:
The wind blows in many directions
We can’t let ourselves be carried away
We’ve the power of choice in our hands
In the sword is the fate of the soul
Guardians of heaven and Earth
Awake us from the illusion
Lord, come to vanish the darkness
The light of truth will guide us
“Journey” leans towards the progressive. It starts instrumentally to a calm melding of acoustic guitar and classical instrumentation, which after a minute transition to the headstrong rhythm guitar providing some of the albums heavier moments. Tempo is of a speed-based form, with the only let up periodic female operatic vocals.
Three songs in and it cannot be denied the talent of vocalist Celso Alves, whom is not so much one of the regions top performers as he deserves to rate with the power/progressive metal scenes finest. Yes, he can extend for a high noted with ease and soar with the best of them but also exhibits the versatility to reach down for some lower register grit.
A semi-ballad approach reveals on “Everlasting Love”. Ethereal, gallant and majestic, song starts in female vocal fashion as piano and viola decorate the backdrop. When Alves takes over vocally, song gradually drifts forward until an expansive chorus intent of the venerable is achieved. HB cannot help but come to mind. Also, note that later in the track listing is a Portuguese version of “Everlasting Love” entitled “Eterno Presente”). Lyric snippet:
Everlasting love involves my being
In Your horizon I will rest
Lead my walking to the restful waters
Live in my heart
Softly the breeze comes and touches my soul
I breathe the airs of a dream
In the wings of the Most High, my shelter
The endless daybreak shines in my eyes
The unrelenting tempo returns on “The Hero”. This one touches on speed metal with its powering double bass and spirited riffing but also gives rose to strategic neo-classical touches akin to Narnia. Jazzy bass and grand piano hold sway instrumentally. Further upping value is manner in which violin hints of Kansas.
“My Spirit” is akin to “Everlasting Love” with its semi-ballad feel. Song opens its first two minutes stilly to acoustic guitar, classical instrumentation and Alves’s graceful vocal performance. At moments notice, however, momentum abruptly explodes as staunch rhythm guitar and baritone vocals combine for the heavier tone, albeit with well-timed calmer moments upheld by keyboards and orchestration. Lyric snippet:
I am the tree of Life
Harvest the fruit of my Spirit and get the eternal life
When He looks at you, my Father will see us like one
And because I live you shall also live
A servant is not great than his lord
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you
In the world you will have tribulations
But I’ve overcome the world
Final instrumental “The Call Of Time”, a short outburst of classical overtures and militant drums, leads way to albums satisfyingly expeditious title track. “Spiritual Battle” brings the type of ingrained hooks and forthright tempo that makes the faster material from Narnia so special. Adding to the mercurial scene are classical keyboards and a run of skillfully done lead guitar from Junior Oliveira. A piano ingrained passage at the halfway point that brings to mind Kerry Livgren’s “Ground Zero” (off his 1980 solo release Seeds Of Change) tops things off. Lyric snippet:
Soldiers of the Almighty Lord
We’ll see the sunrise and the glory of God
Do the best under the Lord’s command that’s above death and life
Spiritual Battle! Don’t be afraid and fight!
Spiritual Battle! The victory is coming for you!
Perseverance and faith overflow the soul
They fortify the spirit
The (mostly) instrumental bonus tracks stay true to the originals from the standpoint of musical direction and mix and master. There are, however, a few notable exceptions with song structuring. “Mirror Of Deep Waters” and “Spiritual Battle”, for instance, combine with the shorter instrumentals preceding them in “Unknown World” and “The Call Of Time”, respectively, to create a single song as opposed to two.
I refer to the seven as ‘mostly’ instrumental due to the fact each has a short line or two or even an entire verse of vocals, noting in no way is such a flaw in that I enjoy the uniqueness the alternative version to each song brings. Not to go into too much detail, but “Power Of Choice”, “The Hero” and “My Spirit” each maintain their choir vocals, while a few moments of vocals grace “Journey”, “Spiritual Battle” and “Mirror Of Deep Waters”.
I appreciate the effort Girder Records made in reissue the out of print Allos debut Spiritual Battle in terms of not just upgraded re-mastering but also added variety in form of the compelling bonus tracks. Credit the group for putting out such a consistent initial release- each of the seven full-length songs brings a needed dose of inspiration allowing it to hold up under repeat play. If into well produced melodic power/progressive metal with strong neo-classical, symphonic and speed based leanings, make the Girder reissue a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Unknown World” (:42), “Mirror Of Deep Waters” (4:30), “Power Of Choice” (4:59), “Journey” (5:17), “Everlasting Love” (5:26), “The Hero” (4:39), “My Spirit” (4:22), “Eterno Presente” (5:26), “The Call Of Time” (:43), “Spiritual Battle” (5:41)
Musicians
Celso Alves - Vocals
Junior Oliveira - Guitars
Edley Winderson - Bass
Wilmer Richard - Keyboards
Wallace Ryan - Drums
Additional Musicians
Fernanda Ohara - Vocals
