Album Review: Manuel Barbará – Moonrise (Self Released)

Featuring seven instrumental tracks of classically inspired progressive metal, Manuel Barbará’s debut album, Moonrise will be released on March 19th 2021.

Frantic, complex, forceful but with melodies, Manuel Barbará kick off Moonrise with the title track. Bringing the progressiveness to the forefront immediately before showcasing a ton more flair as things go on. The cacophony of guitars, bass, drums and grander soundscapes is gripping stuff and you quickly find that there’s no missing the vocals here.

A chillier and more mellow start than introduces The God Complex before it transforms into an elaborate effort. One that feels like a chase sequence in the not so distant future. Again, it’s a spectacular showcase of the progressive qualities of Manuel Barbará.

Keeping things sounding interesting, Children of Prometheus’ starry melody moments work really well against the chunkier and darker metal rhythm. Whereas Mirrors I – Image has an epic feel to it, the rising guitar riffs and cold drops into coarse beats and off-kilter melody, is kick-ass stuff.

Talking of off-kilter and eerie though, Mirrors II – Silver is a change from the norm. Around 3 and a half minutes of effects that conjures up images of empty darkness that slowly begins to spark into life. The life being the doomier drawl of Mirrors III – Reflection which gets a lot perkier and more intense as it goes on.

Leading to the big finale of The Nightmare Weaver and one more intense frenzy of progressive guitars and melodramatic ambience. Massive.

Manuel Barbará – Moonrise Full Track Listing:

1. Moonrise
2. The God Complex
3. Children of Prometheus
4. Mirrors I – Image
5. Mirrors II – Silver
6. Mirrors III – Reflection
7. The Nightmare Weaver

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