It seems I've been reviewing a lot of Brazilian bands lately. Probably because I got a whole slew of 'em in the mail from D_Lister to review. And the one thing I noticed is the diversity of metal that appears to be coming from the largest country in South America.
Stauros represents the power metal side of things. Well, I should say power metal with progressive tendencies. I can't remember if Adrift is Stauros' second or third release. I have their previous release, Seaquake, and I've been meaning to get around to pounding out a review for that one, but've been sluffing it off for so long. Maybe this review will give me the staunch kick in the proverbial hiney to get to that one. But, until then, here's my assessment of Adrift:
I would liken Stauros to something of a second-rate Dream Theater, in that the musicianship is great, but it doesn't really grab me as does a Dream Theater release. You might say that it gets to the edge, but doesn't have enough to push it over. But don't let that deter you whatsoever, gentle reader. Stauros is still one of the best played and produced Christian bands I've ever heard. I would compare them much to the likes of Balance Of Power, Narnia and Impellitteri, for the Christian comparisons. The lyrics smack much closer to the Dream Theater experience, in that they're heavy on poetic metaphor painted on a surreal canvas. Yeah, you can tell I've been reading them before writing this.
Speaking of painting, let me share a bit from the title track, "Adrift"- "You can paint with your colors / And mix them with your scratching / Distill it with naive tears / The canvas that dams freedom / But the truth is adrift / Crossing the waves moved by the spirit." Like the lyrics of Tourniquet and Galactic Cowboys, the lyrics on Adrift warrant more than a casual gloss over.
Stauros is metal for the thinking person. And Adrift is a solid power metal CD. Miss this one and you'll be missing out.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #97Reviewed by Matt MorrowAfter being less than impressed with this band's previous release, Seaquake, I was quite pleased to hear such a marked improvement on their latest album, Adrift. Stauros is a Brazilian metal band that is a solid mix of power and progressive metal. They are quite popular in Brazil, and have sold over 100,000 copies of their four albums combined. They even appeared on the recent Rowe Productions…Similar sounding releases
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