I discovered the Bulgarians of 'Metalwings' with their first EP 'Fallen Angel In The Hell' and 2018 had seen the release of their first LP, 'For All Beyond' which already showed all the potential of this symphonic metal formation led by the soprano and keyboardist 'Stela Atanasova'. They continue their adventure by releasing a second studio recording of almost an hour and ten minutes and I once again fell in love with this new opus from which we had two extracts, first with the beautiful ballad 'Still Believe in Us' in 2020 (repeated in a different tone on the new album), then with 'Monster in the Mirror' in spring 2021 (see video above). Entirely written and composed by 'Stela Atanasova', 'A Whole New Land', I quote their 'bandcamp' page, "is a concept album, both in music and lyrics. We will take you to a whole new land where all predators and their victims live in harmony and peace ... Each song tells a different story of the life of a little girl in search of the lost land of her ancestors, a whole new land where once there was honor, dignity, beauty and strength. Where there was life, peace and harmony. "
Lovers of a symphonic metal in which classical music merges with metal, you are in the right place because, from the outset, with the eponymous title of the album, the instrumental introduction, which generally makes the object of a separate title, is completely integrated and offers us three delicious minutes of rise in power which leads to the sung part which alternates calm verses and an energetic chorus with a first melody which quickly becomes addictive. 'Monster in the Mirror' takes over with an up-tempo that highlights sumptuous vocal and instrumental arrangements then, 'Like A Willow Without Tears' shows a more symphonic side with a sophisticated construction alternating in a remarkable way intensities and rhythms, the arrangements still being as rich and dense and bringing together the softness of the violin with the harshness of the saturated riffs of the guitar. We also find these variations on the following titles, first of all, with 'I See Your Power' in which 'Stela Atanasova' moves us in the quiet parts and whose melody, in the form of a ritornello, turn in loop in our head, then, 'Silence' continues in the same pattern with a new captivating melody. Well placed in the middle of the album, with the acoustic ballad 'Still Believe in Us', we embark on a little cloud by the delicious and bewitch voice of Stela, then the second part of the album offers us 8 minutes of an epic 'Killer Of The Angel's Love', symphonic and grandiose at will showing the great strength of 'Metalwings' to merge classical symphonic music with metal, their Slavic origins certainly bringing that little extra that makes all the difference to the new melodic. Follows 'Wonders of Life', lighter, which takes us into a happy saraband, then, 'Passengers Between the Rails of Life' continues in this joyful atmosphere but with a more sophisticated construction with new orchestral arrangements much more provided. And to end this album in style, 'Second Chance' offers us a melancholy ballad of great beauty and 'Milo Moe Libe' reminds us of the Bulgarian roots of 'Metalwings' with a magnificent folk song that speaks of hope, highlighting the traditional flute, the kaval and with a magical vocal performance by Stela in her native langue that gives you goosebumps from start to finish.
In summary, the Bulgarians of 'Metalwings' confirm all the talent of their first album and stand out from other symphonic metal formations by an even more marked fusion between classical music and metal with beautiful melodic lines sublimated by a remarkable moving and captivating female singer. 'A Whole New Land' is recommended for a symphonic metal audience attracted by rich orchestral arrangements and a female singer with a lyric training... | |
