Angra's vocalist steps out on his own with this rousing project that features Nightwish guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, Stratovarius bassist Lauri Porra and Kamelot drummer Casey Grillo. (Queensr˙che's Mike Stone also makes a guest appearance.) So it's obvious that Edu Falaschi has opted for more of a European-American metal sound over his main band's South American influences, and that's OK. In fact, it suits the man well.
From the complex but hearty opener "King" to the epic-sounding mid-tempo "Children of Lies" to the smoldering title-track ballad that closes the album, Almah is a tour de force that allows Falaschi more versatility in both songwriting and performance. Whether bellowing or soaring, his voice takes inspiration from Ronnie James Dio and Bruce Dickinson without mimicking either legend, and the songs rival Angra's best compositions. The ballad "Forgotten Land" boasts the album's strongest and most memorable guitar solo, while "Break All the Welds," "Scary Zone" and "Take Back Your Spell" are bounce-along anthems. Falaschi's choice of Adriano Daga as producer is worth noting, mainly because Daga is better known for his work with Lenny Kravitz and Silverchair — not power-metalheads. Daga keeps these 11 songs brief, with all but one falling below the five-minute mark. As a result, Almah is a crisp and punchy disc that should provide Falaschi a worthwhile outlet while Angra is inactive.
Track Listing:
1) King
2) Take Back Your Spell
3) Forgotten Land
4) Scary Zone
5) Children of Lies
6) Break All the Welds
7) Golden Empire
8) Primitive Chaos
9) Breathe
10) Box of Illusion
11) Almah