Today, the Spanish Heavy Metal scene seems to be strong due the fact of the legions of bands releasing albums, EPs and more. It’s a consequence of the musical efforts of acts as BARÓN ROJO, OBUS, ÑU, BANZAI, MEDINA AZAHARA and many others during the 70s and 80s, a harvest that is done now by the seeds saw in the past. These are the roots from what the work of the sextet REVEAL grows from. On their third album, “Still Alive” (released after four years since their second album, “Overlord”, maybe a consequence of the years of Covid-19 pandemic), they show a form of Heavy/Power Metal influenced by acts as HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY and PRIMAL FEAR (on its beginning due a more heavier and aggressive appeal), but plenty of melodic influences inherited from Hard Rock and US Metal, what depicts a more accessible form of music (the choruses are excellent, and hard to resist to after the first time on them).

The formula is honest and gains life on their hands, turning the listening of the album a very good experience. Tino Hevia (the band’s guitarist and founder) is the one who worked as producer, did the recording and mixing, and left the mastering to the hands of Mika Jussila. And the efforts were done in a careful way that allows the band’s songs to have a weight punch, but a defined and clean expression. And the beautiful artwork of the Colombian artist Felipe Machado Franco is truly something that states what the band musically expresses.

On the 9 songs of “Still Alive”, the fans will deal with a musical work that has identity, and it can be felt clearly on moments as “You’re Still Alive” (a heavier song with some melodic catching moments, especially during the leads and duets of the guitars), “Page by Page” and “The Dragon Reborn” (both into a more traditional Heavy/Power Metal trend, with excellent riffs tempered by charming melodies weaved by the keyboards), “World Full of Wonders” (lovely vocals and backing vocals can be heard in the middle of excellent melodic ambiences), “Metal Messiahs” (some modern aggressiveness can be felt contrasting with the melodic outfit of the band, and what thunderous work of bass guitar and drums on the rhythms), and “Not Look Back”. But all the songs have their own appeal, so it’s not an album hard to listen to and love.

“Still Alive” is a statement of the band: even after all the hardships and sadness of the past four years, REVEAL is alive and still doing great!