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Energema: The Lion's Forces

Neo-classical Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Sleazy Rider Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 01.07.2016

Maybe it's just me, but have you ever passed over a band simply because you can't pronounce their name? That was my first reaction to Bogota's Energema. Pop that word into Google and you discover it has it's roots in classic Greek. Not sure what the connection is, but the band name is unusual. The band was formed Columbian guitarist and composer Nicolas Waldo, who has had a successful career as a solo artist. He developed Energema because of his interest in power metal.

Energema

To elaborate, Energema and their debut album The Lion's Forces is basically melodic power metal with lots of neo-classical shred guitar from Waldo. Call it another platform from his solo work, but with vocals as well. The album has lyrical themes from C.S. Lewls' Chronicles Of Narnia and, apparently, some allusions to Biblical, even Christian, themes. (A glance at his solo work confirms that the latter themes are recurring.) The previous pretty much explains Energema. With a few exceptions, most every song has power metal gallop with Waldo's ever present neo-classical widdling. It's like Helloween meets Yngwie Malmsteem. The exceptions are the instrumental at the start Cair Paravel and the metal ballad Deep Magic From The Dawn Of Time, largely vocals over lighter guitar before reaching a crescendo with a heroic Waldo solo. Alejandro Pinzon has a good voice singing melodic and clean, yet sometimes with some metal screamo edge. At times he reminds me of Fabio Lione. The bottom line is this: though familiar territory, if you like power metal with significant shred guitar, then Energema's The Lion's Forces will not disappoint you.

Energema - The Lion's Forces

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Though familiar territory, if you like power metal with significant shred guitar, then Energema's The Lion's Forces will not disappoint you.

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