Grace: Hope

This is a relatively new project coming out of Spain which is lead by singer Isra Ramos, who by all accounts has built up quite a reputation in his home country but as yet being able to get his music heard by a wider audience.

This new release on Frontiers aims to put that right with an album that Ramos proclaims will allow himself to express his personal feelings for the first time. On first listening it’s an album that has a number of influences, there’s mostly Melodic Metal but also some quirky electronics that have been thrown into the mix as well.

Eleven tracks, and with by all accounts a concept album, although I can’t see/hear the story myself, which try and take on the various genres that come under the Metal umbrella. It’s certainly well put together, the playing is tight and concise and with a suitably grand production, although the mix could be a little more sympathetic in places. These tracks really do try their damnest to be `different` but unfortunately just end up sounding rather unconvincing and, I have to say rather lacklustre. It`s not all bad though, the opener `Atreyu` has a cool blend of modern keys and percussion that really had me thinking the band were on to something, but from there on in it fails to live up to expectations. Tracks such as `Blind Love`, and `Sinner` really don’t know where they should be heading, and as such come across as confusing pieces, the now seemingly ubiquitous Ronnie Romero turns up on `Evergarden` but even he can’t really save it from being nothing more than serviceable European Melodic Metal.

`Fiona` fares a lot better though, with at its very heart a cool pop sensibility....Maybe this is a style that the band should be looking to embrace more, as this is by far the best thing on offer here. The rest of the album, although not unpleasant to the ear does rather limp on to its conclusion, with nothing really of note to grab the ear.

It`s certainly a brave attempt to try and pour something different into the mix, but I just don’t feel as if the material is strong enough throughout to make this an album to stand out from the crowd.

Track Listing
1. Atreyu
2.The Nowhere Man
3.Blind Love
4.The Sinner
5.Snow White (At The End Of The World)
6.Evergarden (Feat. Ronnie Romero)
7.Fiona
8.Together
9.Atomic Heart
10.Invincible
11Hope

Added: July 10th 2022
Reviewer: Malcolm Smith
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 496
Language: english

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