Brazilian traditional Heavy Metal scene evolved from early influences from IRON MAIDEN (due the successful show of the quintet on Rock in Rio on 1985), BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST. Acts as STRESS (the first Brazilian Heavy Metal band to release an album of the genre), VIRUS, OVERDOSE and others who were active in the first half of the 80s helped to build things and separated Heavy Metal from Hard Rock back then. But as time passed by, things changed, and the coming of VIPER and ANGRA helped to create a more personal outfit for the genre on Brazil, to generate a model. And so on, the genre evolved more and more, what can be felt on “Cradle of the Wicked”, the second and new album of the quartet IGNITED (that now is based on Stockholm, Sweden).

The second album of the quartet is a modern and aggressive form of traditional Heavy Metal, full of energy and easy to like (because the melodies are really catching under the aggressive sheath of their musical work), and it’s not as pure as some puritans fans like due the presence of some Power Metal and Prog Metal influences (clearly heard on the ethereal melodies of “At the Damned’s Hall”). Their music bleeds in pure energy, showing a particular outfit and a delicious set of melodies, with a refined technical appeal (but without exaggerations). It’s different from the usual for those that are into such genres today. The quartet now is based on Sweden, and they chose to work on the studio the mastermind Fredrik Nordström to produce, record, and to do the mixing and mastering “The Cradle of the Wicked”. The result: something fresh, modern and defined, but with an abrasive outfit that boost the aggressiveness of the songs.

As a reference, this album speaks loud and tough for fans of acts as ICED EARTH, JUDAS PRIEST, SANCTUARY, NEVERMORE and others in this way, especially due excellent songs as “Cradle of the Wicked” (it’s a fine combination of modern Heavy Metal with Power Metal, with nasty screamed vocals in some moments), “The Overflow” (a massive and heavier song, but with a more melodic appeal than the previous one, and based on strong and simple guitar riffs and arrangements), “At the Damned’s Hall” (the massive weight on some moments can cause aches in the ear drums, but pay attention to the silk Prog Metal touches and on the heavy rhythmic artillery of bass guitar and drums), “Bloody Satisfied” (a dynamical song filled with nasty and catching melodies), “The Sewer Lords” (another moment where elegant arrangements and a melancholic touch meet a modern outfit for Heavy Metal, and its plenty of melodic hooks), “Life Goes By” (the contrasts between melancholic parts with heavier moments is a cliché that, when wisely used, is always a good strategy, as is used by the quartet on this song), and “Tearing Down the Walls”. These ones can make the due presentations of the band’s music to the fans.

After all these words, it’s clear that “Cradle of the Wicked” is a fine piece of Metal that deserves to be heard and enjoyed by all Metal fans with guts. And to IGNITED musicians, I’d like to say boa sorte em sua carreira aí no exterior, irmãos.