RED WINE "Suenos Y Locura" [Arise] 2003

RED WINE "Suenos Y Locura" [Arise]

I think this is the 3rd album for Red Wine. To tell the truth their previous two were not anything exciting, ordinary power metal. However, the new one is really good and I foresee they'll gain numerous fans at least in their country with "Suenos Y Locura".

The band produces pure power metal with influences from Gamma Ray, Helloween and Iron Maiden, but they does NOT sound to me like the 200th clone band. They DO have personal identity and I believe with this album they are entering the Spanish metal Champions League among Tierra Santa, Mago De Oz, Dark Moor and Avalanch (and why not Arwen). Actually I was very confused about how to rate this album... 8.5, 9 or 9.5!! I've chosen the minimum for two reasons. The first is the use of Spanish lyrics (except the last song which is in English) and the second is the fact that some people would consider them as typical power metal with nothing new to offer. They might not have songs that make you shiver, but they do have personality and listening to this album is pleasure.

I feel that the die-hard power metal fans will love this CD, especially the ones who like Tierra Santa. Vocals are extremely good (heavier when the song requires it), the rhythm section kicks ass and I liked a lot the use of choirs. Guitars do an amazing work, haunting solos are split around, while I can see a progressive metal tendency in the song structures. I mean the drumming is not the ordinary power metal.. at times it gets to complex to be power. Acoustic parts are sensational and in general their music is an amalgam of power, passion and emotional parts.

If you are into power and classic heavy metal, you should get this album. If you don't like Spanish lyrics, at least try to listen to the song that is available for downloading (mp3) at their label's website, but personally I like them a lot :)