URANTIA

A brazilian band that plays a mix of power metal, ambient/new age and celtic folk? That seems to be a bit odd, although another highly successful band from Brazil, Tuatha De Danann, also draws their inspiration from the same sources (bar the ambient parts). Ashtar has the advantage of having a truly outstanding (female) singer in the voice of Fernanda Mesquita. The group started as a doom metal outfit, but you won´t find any of this style here. They seem to come directly from Ireland and save for the the vocalist´s accent, you could hardly tell they were south americans. That´s not to say their music is not worthy, much on the contrary. They are quite good.

I really liked their knack for writing fine melodic tunes and the the longer tracks are quite varied and very well performed and arranged. In fact they are superior to a lot of much more hyped metal bands of that year. It is only a shame they did not release a follow up so far. Certainly they have the chops to go much further. Songs like Children Of The Mist, Urantia and Nemesis are excellent examples of their good craft. If they are not too original, at least they know how to handle the style with rare competence, specially if you have in mind this is only their first CD.

Although there is not much prog in here, Urantia is a very fine debut that certainly will please anyone who likes melodic tunes done with passion and conviction. Very good production and strong musicianship. If this was a HM site this would be a four star affair, no doubt. As it is I can´t give it more than 3,5 stars. Not essential in a prog collection, but still very good.