It's been three years since the last GLASYA installment. On October 24, 2025 the Portuguese symphonic metalists release their third full-length album, Fear, on Scarlet Records. Fear is very much a concept album, spinning one complete narrative over 14 tracks and a total of 66 minutes of playtime. Concept albums have always been inherently risky. For one, it's hard to pull a single out of the narrative and still have it make sense as a standalone track. I imagine it's like trying to sell a chapter from a novel as a short story. Second, if the listener doesn't buy into the storyline, then the whole endeavor is lost. On the upside, if the story is strong enough, the band can create an enduring and endearing artifact that has both emotional and intellectual hooks. In considering Fear, GLASYA has accomplished just this: An album that tells a compelling story while rocking the soul.

To pull off this feat, GLAYSA had to combine three key elements: Great musicianship, including vocals; strong songwriting; and compelling lyrics. As far as musicianship, this is GLASYA's third time around and most of the band members have pedigrees which include other successful endeavors—which is to say, they aren't new to this. Their fluidity and internal consistency are by now part of their DNA. Eduarda's vocals swim through band's harmonies and melodies with ease and grace and Davon's keyboards take on oversized proportions as so much of the album relies on his cinematic orchestrations. Topping all this off is the core of the band, the twin guitar attack of Hugo and Bruno P. as well as the rhythm section of Antonio (bass) and Bruno R. (drums).      

Some outstanding tracks include "The Cold of the Dark" which despite the narrative structure could stand as standalone single. For those who prefer their metal more on the extreme side, "Rising Wildfire" scratches that itch with demonic harsh vocals and some brutal riffs. Of course, the harsher elements are offset with an epic chorus and an angelic solo. I also really enjoyed the closing number, "No Teu Abrigo," no relation to the Flavio Leandro song of the same name. This is a stirring track which is essential to all Symphonic Metal album—you know, that one tear-jerker that makes you regret or yearn or just pine. The fact that Eduarda treats the song in Portuguese makes it all the more touching. Perfect closer.

As far as the storyline is concerned, I don't want to give too much away. Half of the pleasure of this type of album is unraveling the narrative. What I can say is that on one level the protagonist has to confront her fears from her past which include facing the realities of past actions and decisions. On another level, there is a thread about the physical situation she is in and how that might be translated and resolved in a metaphorical or dreamlike state. The final level (though there maybe more) is the question of who or what is control of all this. Is there someone or thing pulling the strings? Is it supernatural or just a projection of the mind?

On the downside, while I understand spoken word is sometimes necessary to progress the narrative, it can become a distraction. Again, it's hard to avoid with this type of album. It goes back to my original points about the risks of concept albums, but altogether it works out in the end.

GLAYSA has sealed their reputation amongst female-fronted Symphonic Metal bands with Fear. To be honest they probably had it sealed already, but this certainly proves they have the needed consistency and endurance as well as the raw talent for the long run. I mean every one of their albums has been more than impressive. At this point it's about the incremental evolution and their ability to continue to surprise their audience while remaining true to their artistic vision. I think that's called artistic integrity. A rare trait in these times.