(Symphonic Power Metal) Oratory - Beyond Earth (Japanese Ed.) - 2003, MP3, 320 kbps

Oratory had been kicking around for some eight years or so when this 2002 release hit the shelves. They’d also just lost their frontman (and co-founder). In short, this was a band at the crossroads. So the one thing no-one expected was the power metal release of the year.

‘Beyond Earth’ is a concept album based on a 16th century Portugese masterpiece recounting the voyages of Vasco da Gama. The lyrics are kept simple though, with a story at once fragmentary but compelling. Musically you get “Neo-classical Melodic Power Metal”. That’s what ORATORY call themselves anyway. And it’s all there alright.

The lead vocal situation went from a dual male/female voices on previous releases, to Ana Lara handling the duties on her own. Talk about masterstroke. She has a powerful range that’s neither helium ingested or opera rejected. But boy can this girl sing emotion. And boy can this band play tight. No tricks, just tight.

“Beyond Earth” and “Living Wisdom” are the two openers. Track one opens with a solo riff that raises the axe like a weapon of war. What comes after that is fast, melodic and power metal in italics, capital letters and underlined. Track two says we love our guitars, but watch what happens when keyboards take over. This time it’s a keyboard invite that sets the scene for yet another metal chapter. It’s this masterful balance between guitars and keyboards that raises this album above the ordinary. Doesn’t matter whether you’re pro or anti keyboards in metal. Metal is the only thing you’ll notice on this release. And that’s right about when track three happens.

“Your Glory Won’t Last Forever” is worth the price of entry alone. This one’s a metal foundry from start to finish. It’s fanatically fast, passionately pounding, and criminally catchy. Make no mistake, one listen to this track and you’ll be Googling the heck out of this band and maxing out the credit card ordering their entire back catalogue. And yes, it does register in any top ten of the greatest power metal songs ever.

Things move back in to the mid-tempo category on the next three numbers: “Eternal”, “Heroes From The Past” and “Concilium”. This is the voyage of the story as it moves forward without incident but with human daring. Meanwhile the phenomenal hooks just keep coming – and each and every song features yet another brilliant solo from Miguel Gomes. This guy’s straight from the never heard of him, but that don’t mean squat file. He’s damn good at making sure every solo sounds different, is a master of melody AND technique, and absolutely ALWAYS leaves you wanting more.

With “Old Man’s Prophecy” and “Song of Lust”, the song titles alone tell you to expect high drama. All of which adds up to power meets speed metal meets keyboard symphonics. Antonio Silva on keys is the name to look out for here. He weaves his way in and out with heavy harmonies and even heavier metal. But his moment to shine is on “Story of all Times”. It’s the album ballad and it’s moving without being maudlin. For the most part it’s just lead vocals and the keys telling a poignant story. But it’s actually the second last song straight after the deliberate neoclassical theatrics of “Victory of Light”. You’ll recognize the opening hook, but you won’t remember it ever looking this good.

“A New Quest” is where it all ends with the band delivering up a kind of symphonic finale that blends earlier melodies to bring the story to an epic close. At just over 50 minutes it isn’t the biggest metal concept album out there, but then again size isn’t exactly the same thing as scope is it?

Review written by "Metal_Grail" for www.metal-archives.com

Ana Lara - Vocals
António Silva - Keyboards
Miguel Gomes - Guitars
Rui Santos - Bass
João Rodrigues - Drums