The third album from a band is an experience that can cause trauma or pull them to a higher success level. To some is a trial, to others is an opportunity. In the case of Brazilian quintet NOTURNALL, from São Paulo, their third album, called "9", seems to be in their cards to reach a global success. First of all, we must have in mind that NOTURNALL is a band with five members with a long experience in Metal, with recognized works by media and public in Brazil and even in Europe. The fusion of their ideas resulted on a "full-length" that follows the same style from "Noturnall" and "Back to Fuck You Up": a strong, technical and modern form of Heavy Metal with some influences from Power Metal and even from some punctual regional rhythms from Brazil. But on this new album, the band explored a more accessible and melodic side of their own personality. Their instrumental arrangements are easier to be assimilated for a broader part of the public. But don't worry: their weight, aggressiveness and energy are the very same that we all know.

The sound quality of "9" is excellent. Weight, aggressiveness, melodies, technique and all the musical elements are bound together in a perfect balance between them. The level of clarity is really amazing, allowing anyone to understand what the band is playing and to assimilate their songs easily. The artwork was a creation of Carlos Fides (from Artside) is really beautiful evocation two tables with nine teachings, the teachings to create a better world, because the way we are, we're walking the path of our own extinction. If "9" sound more melodic and easier to be assimilated than the previous albums of NOTURNALL, the quintet created another masterpiece, so we can say that they are in the right way. Songs such as "Hey!" (a song filled with contrasts between heavier and dense moments with fine melodic lines), the fine chorus and vocals of "Change" (with fine keyboards parts and great guitars), the fine technical approach of bass and drums on the harmonies of "Wake Up!", the great guitar riffs and solo on "Mysterious", the eclectic beauty of "Heart As One" (an excellent and tender song, with perfect vocals and amazing acoustic guitar parts), and the musical richness of "Pain" can be named as their finest moments on an album that all songs are the band's finest moments.

"9" is one of the best albums of the year, amazing and creative.

As this review ends, I want to ask of my readers a great favor, not as a writer, but as a human being. As you all know, all visualizations of the video of "Heart As One" on YouTube, and the playing of the song on Spotify, Deezer and iTunes becomes an amount of money. In the case of this song, all the money earned is directly given to GRAAC (casa de apoio ao adolescente e criança com câncer), an institution that takes care of children and adolescent with cancer here in Brazil. Can you, please, watch the video or hear the song, at least, one time in a day for some days?

It will help GRAAC to save many lives here. I thank you from all of my heart.