D.A.M is a Melodic Death Metal band from Ouro Preto, Brazil. It was founded as a solo project in 2009 by Guilherme de Alvarenga whose intentions were to blend compositional techniques from Classical Music, that he was learning at Music College, with the powerful sonority of Heavy Metal Their debut EP "Possessed" was released in April 2013 and the fresh full length "Tales of the Mad King" has been available since the beginning of December.

The intro "Beyond the Mist" perfectly introduces the album paving the road for the exquisite "Avalon" heralding a storming Melodic Death Metal output with high flying melodic encasing. "Lost Kingdom" surges with melodic riffs and amazing vibrant sound of keyboards pledging a symphonic style with a grand mix with a late 90's IN FLAMES. "Path to Victory"'s keyboards, vocals and guitar riffery reminded me of CHILDREN OF BODOM. The title track "Tales of the Mad King" is just masterpiece where one would find modern keyboards' playing, melodic riffs, crushing drumming of the highest order, violin implementation and one of the best mixtures of vocal types I have heard in a while. "The Mourning for your Absence..." is a fast paced molester guesting the fabulous female vocals of Jéssica Delazare that perfectly entangled with tough heaviness along with De Alvarenga assorted vocals. This is the right time for a good headbanging. "Sword in the Stone" created that fine feel of Heavy Metal al'a IRON MAIDEN, adhering harmonic riffs that upgraded the song's general vibe into something special. Worth also to listen: "Crusader´s Quest" illustrating elements of classical music in fast paced mania. "Battlefield" though providing the aggressiveness as if one is really on the wrong side of the battlefield, it has that Nu Metal kindred to KORN's style and finally there is "The Wizard´s Oracle" that like an atomic bomb serves as a surplus to this album's magnitude.

D.A.M really outdone themselves this time, in comparison to their EP and made a big step in their career. Swedish oriented Melodic Death Metal isn't that common nowadays, on its truest of forms, and gladly these Brazilian folks remained loyal to the creativity and the harmonious nature of this mighty subgenre. Highly recommend, grab this one today.