Kingdom (+Bonus) [Extra tracks, Import]

Hi. This is Charles Dalla from Wizards. First of all, thank you for the flattering reviews you have written, but I just want to clear up some incorrect information about Wizards.
First:We're not from Manaus, which is, as a matter of fact, in the state of Amazonia, where the jungle actually is. We're originally from São Paulo. Our city is very, very, very far from Manaus. As far as New York is from San Fracisco.
Second: The band Angra is not from Argentina. They are also from our hometown: São Paulo, Brazil.
Thank you very much.
All the best

Charles Dalla

Can you guess what country Wizards is from. If you guessed United States, guess again, Germany, you're getting colder, Finland, not even close, Italy, a little closer.

Now the reason I'm asking is because I think the answer is very surprising so I'm going to give you a hint and tell you the city Wizards originally from - Manaus. No help? I didn't think so. Ok, Manaus is on the Amazon river in Brazil. I guess you might say it's the gateway to Amazonia.

What's so surprising is these guys, from a backwater town in the Amazon Jungle, are so good. I'm sure they no longer live in Manaus, would you? Wizards are not beginners either, this being their fourth album. Now here's the kicker, not only do these guys play some of the best metal music around (some say power metal but I don't think so) but singer songwriter Christian Passos is not only a heartthrob, he's a fabulous singer and he writes all the songs along with Keyboardist, Charles Dalla.

BAND MEMBERS
Christian Passos VC
Kadu GT
Mendel Waisberg BS
Bezi Waisberg DR
Charles Dalla KB

I've kinda got off the subject a little, which is, the last time I looked, The Kingdom. Let me start by saying that Wizards music has a faint resemblance to Epic Power Metal but I consider it Melodic Metal. Probably the closest band I can think of which you may or may not have heard of is Angra from neighboring Argentina. Heavenly, Mob Rules and Styx also have similarities.

Killer Songs

"The Kingdom" is my favorite song on The Kingdom. It is a variable, middle to up tempo song with a catchy beat and a mild Middle Eastern refrain running through it. There is also an interesting mix of background ingredients too, from violins to cow bells. The band provides some very nice harmonic backing vocals on the choruses as well.

"Fallen Angels", This songs probably qualifies as a power ballad. Again a catchy melodious medium slow number, with orchestral and choir backing a somewhat syncopated delivery by the Passo's very pleasant vocals.

"The Call of War", At three minutes and nine seconds this is one of the shortest songs on the album. You get a good example of Passo's vocal abilities here. His voice is high, kinda like Kamelot's Roy Kohn, Angra's Andre Matos or Freedom Calls Chris Bay. This is a very accessible song and probably would be the best candidate for a single if one was contemplated. Medium fast, mostly vocal, little instrumentation.

"Freedom", How often do you get a five star song as a bonus track? Never you say, well here you do. "Freedom is my co-favorite song, with it's multiple tempos. Beginning as did "The Kingdom" with acoustic guitar and Passo's very good, smooth voice. This leads into a very complex and interesting three minute introduction again including violins and the bridge is also quite interesting with, I think, acoustic but maybe a Harp, leading to an extravagant whining guitar solo. Surprisingly this song reminds me of the once popular Canadian group - TriumphThis predominantly instrumental, almost ten minute song is top notch!

CONCLUSION

Wizards have a smooth easy flowing style. There's nothing particularly complex about their music, it's just exceedingly pleasing to the ears.

For those of you that know and appreciate Angra, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Heavenly or Mob Rules, Wizards is right up your alley. For those not into Power Metal or Melodic Metal, think Asia, Styx, Triumph or Boston.

This Wizards' album is excellent from the beginning till the end! It's a very unknown band, but in my sincerely opinion, it's better than the new Angra a thousand times!! Just buy it, you won't regret it!! The melodies of the songs makes you run through tears!! "King Without a Crown", for example!! "Riding the Twillight" is simply amazing!! If you like melodic metal like Helloween, Angra, Shaman, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, this is exactly for you!! I can't take it off my CD player anymore since I've bought it, really!

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