With basically a brand new band joining founding members Zuberoa Aznárez and Gorka Elso, DIABULUS IN MUSICA have risen from the ashes of a broken band with a new and improved sound and focus on their new album "Argia". Passionate words sung by the powerful voice of Zuberoa matched together with the intrinsic and thunderous work by the instruments bring the band into a new stratosphere of creativity.

From the very beginning of the first track, the dark power of Goarka's keyboards and the soaring spiritual vocalizations echoing from the heavens have your hair standing on end waiting for the coming rush of orchestral Metal. They do not disappoint as the group slowly build the volume and sound and thrust you into the choir hall full of echoes. The band then hits the gas and you are shot into the outer realms with "From The Embers" as the guitars and drums come at you rapidly and aggressively. Two tracks and you now feel the full force of just what this band can do. Atmospheric symphonic aggression coupled with angelic vocals and joined in by some dark deep growls. When it suits them, this band can match power and anger with anyone in metal.

The group invited Ailyn Gimenez of SIRENIA in the band's first Spanish language Metal song titled "Furia de Libertad" which has long been requested by Latin American and Spanish fans alike. The duets are exquisite with the sweet sounds of Ailyn and the deeper tones of Zuberoa taking the listener on a journey of incredible sound. The albums most aggressive song, which was written in anger aimed at someone they know, is "Spoilt Vampire" which comes at you with fire and fury. The band does not believe in actual violence as she told me recently in an interview, but she had to get it out and she does in this song.

They follow that song with the most beautiful Symphonic Metal song I have heard in recent memory called "Eternal Breeze" which is wonderfully crafted and should be in a movie soundtrack. Amazing song. That song is followed by another power tune called "Mechanical Ethos" that once again shows off the speed and power the group possess with some fast riff work, drums, and wild sounds coming from Gorka's keys.

The group has another guest on the song "Encounter at Chronos" that features Thomas Vikström of CANDLEMASS and STORMWIND fame. It's a song that covers a lot of sounds born on the solar winds and joined by the power of the radiating sun, this one is a classic.

All in all, "Argia" may just be the best Symphonic Metal album of the year.