Brazilian Power Metal
Stauros-O Sentido da Vida 1997
I had heard this disc before at a friend's apartment, but I just can't enjoy the music with the Portuguese lyrics. For some reason it just sounds so odd and foreign to me. Think I'll stick with 'Seaquake.' Picked up this disc from a Brazilian trader.
Stauros-Seaquake 2000
Man, Brazil is just exploding with Christian metal bands right now. Stauros
apparently is one of the more well known in their homeland. In the U.S. they
are relatively unknown, but are slowly getting some exposure through mail order
companies like RadRockers. In anycase, Stauros play power metal with some progressive
metal influences, sort of like Fates
Warning's 'No Exit' although I am not saying they sound alike. The musicianship
on this disc is quite good, as are the guitar solos, but for some reason the
vocals melodies don't bowl me over. Carlos Cesar Oliveira has a solid voice
but the song writing doesn't have a whole lot of hook that would make me want
to spin this disc over and over. However, having heard the growth from their
last album ('O Sentido da Vida') to this album, I can only imagine that if these
guys stick it out they will be a force to be reckoned with. Will have to give
this disc a few more spins as it may just be one of those bands that grows on
me with each listen.