Without a doubt Brazil is a country that continues to amaze me time and again, the sheer amount of great bands that this nation spits forth, for example Porto Alegre is the home of bands such as NEPHASTH, REBAELLIUN or SAUNTER and now this metropolis is sending out yet another band into the Metal pantheon, one that has everything it takes to win over the worldwide competition: HIBRIA.

The band of singer Iuri Sanson, guitarists Abel Camargo and Diego Kasper, bassist Marco Panichi and drummer Savio Sordi has been together in the same line-up ever since 1997 and after two demos and two singles now offers us its debut “Defying The Rules“ and this something to be beheld! The cover looks Metal through and through and the music continues this: pure Heavy Metal with a strong Eighties touch, but without sounding old fashioned, quite the contrary they sound very fresh and energetic!

After the dark intro they deliver a pure Metal hymn with “Steel Lord On Wheels“, driving, with very strong guitar work and solos and great vocals, at times doubled, there is no bombast, no big choirs, but serious Metal that should drive any fan of this style into ecstasy, not least because this is only the beginning of a through and through mature and cool Metal album of the old school. “Millenium Quest“ doesn’t take any prisoners, fat double-bass, driving guitars, power without end, great! “Living Under Ice“ is a stomper, but not without speeding up every now and then, here and there once more doubling the vocals.

Oh my god, where will that still lead? Right into the title track, a truly superb song, among the best that I have heard in this style in the past few months, this is how traditional Metal has to sound, period. And at the end “Stare At Yourself“ adds a light epic touch, still with heavy guitars, pumping bass and soaring vocals…

HIBRIA prove to us with „Defying The Rules“ that even now traditional Heavy/Power Metal still can sound gripping, energetic and fresh without using any genre-foreign elements, simply convincing through great musicianship and good song writing. And this is only the debut of the Brazilians, I can hardly await new material, I WANT MORE! (Online July 6, 2005)

Lady in Black
Ensiferum
She came to me one morning
One lonely sunday morning
Her long hair flowing
In the midwinter wind
I know not how she found me
For in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me
From a fight I could not win
Ah ah ah ...

She asked me name my foe then
I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers
Without thought of love or god
And I begged her give me horses
To trample down my enemies
So eager was my passion
To devour this waste of life
Ah ah ah ...

But she wouldnt think of battle that
Reduces men to animals
So easy to begin
And yet impossible to end
For shes the mother of our men
Who counselled me so wisely then
I feared to walk alone again
And asked if she would stay
Ah ah ah ...

Oh lady lend your hand outright
And let me rest here at your side
Have faith and trust
In peace she said
And filled my heart with life
There is no strength in numbers
Have no such misconception
But when you need me
Be assured I wont be far away
Ah ah ah ...

Thus having spoke she turned away
And though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw
Her black cloak disappear
My labour is no easier
But now I know Im not alone
I find new heart each time
I think upon that windy day
And if one day she comes to you
Drink deeply from her words so wise
Take courage from her
As your prize
And say hello from me
Ah ah ah ...