Style: Power metal, progressive metal/rock, folk metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: cheese
Review by: Sam
Country: Brazil
Release date: 20 August 2018
[EDITOR’S NOTE: This review was originally published in the August 2018 issue of The Progressive Subway, before we even had a website!]
I did not expect much from this album. It was very close to getting dropped in favor of Dol Ammad, but in retrospect I’m very glad I didn’t, as this is some lovely music. At first it just seemed cheesy and a bit standard, but with repeated listens it really grew on me. Wooden Bridge play a very upbeat brand of progressive power/folk metal. From the very first note you’re barraged with very happy galloping power metal galore and folk melodies. If you value keeping your cholesterol levels low, I suggest you stay far, far away from this album.
What I like about this band is that they know their limitations. This band is not as technical as a band like Haken, but instead of trying hyper technical passages anyway they stick to their guns and make the most of what they have. The songs have a clear beginning, middle and end, the riffs are sharp and powerful, the solos are excellent and always carry the song forward through their effective melodic phrasing, the singing is catchy and the synths greatly enhance the music through their melodic playing. What also helps is that the production is just clear as day. The riffs are heavy when they need to be, the solos sound soaring, the vocals are exactly where they need to be in the mix, the synths are clear without sounding overbearing. Only qualm I have is that the bass isn’t really audible, but that’s minor and doesn’t detract at all.
On the whole I heartily recommend this album to anyone who doesn’t mind a little cheese (ok not a little, this is a quatro fromaggi pizza lol) in their music. It won’t blow your mind by any means, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable record that’ll surely bring a smile to your face.
Recommended tracks: Run to Ror-Modin, The Alchemist, Falling Rocks
You may also like: Lör, Maestrick
Final verdict: 7/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Metal-Archives page
Label: Independent
Wooden Bridge is:
– Pablo Fonseca (vocals)
– Rodrigo Guimarães (guitars)
– Rodolfo Salgueiro (keyboards, backing vocals)
– Victor Hugo Targino (bass, backing vocals)
– Marconi Júnior (drums)
