VANDROYA — One (review)

VANDROYA — One album cover Album · 2013 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"One" is the debut full-length studio album by Brazilian power metal act Vandroya. The album was released through Inner Wound Records in December 2012/January 2013. The band already formed in 2001 where they initially started as a cover band. They released a demo in 2005, but it wasn´t until late 2010 that they started recording "One". Obviously getting the album recorded and released have been a long process, as it´s taken almost 2 years.

Vandroya play "classic" Euro power metal with the occasional progressive section (the faster paced tracks are not completely unlike early Sonata Arctica). The musicianship is incredibly tight and the music is delivered with great passion. The basic instruments are bass, drums, two guitars. Keyboards are present on most tracks, but are generally used tastefully and not placed high in the mix. So while the music is still rather polished as it´s custom in the genre, the more secondary role of the keyboards do provide "One" with a slightly more raw edge than you´ll usually hear on a Euro power metal release. It´s on the lead vocalist spot that Vandroya really stand out though. First of all because Daísa Munhoz is a woman singing in a power metal band, but also because she is not the "angelic" type female vocalist. Her voice has a lot of character and her delivery is slightly hoarse, even though she can also hit the high notes. Her choir and harmony vocals are also rather spectacular. She´s a rather unique vocalist and provides Vandroya´s music with a slight bit of originality.

"One" is both well played, well produced and well written, and features just enough original ideas to stand out from the pack and to be a success to my ears. Yes all the usual Euro power metal elements are there are accounted for (Neo-classical leanings, double pedal drumming, galloping rythms, uplifting anthemic choruses and so forth), but Vandroya are one of those few acts that fuse all those well known elements into something that doesn´t sound generic. Their high energy level and passionate delivery are of course also great assets, that help "One" be the great album it is. A 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is deserved.
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