Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of GRACE's new album, "Hope." They are a new band put together by singer Isra Ramos, undoubtedly one of the most prolific and versatile vocalists, composers, and producers in the recent history of metal in Spain. "After over 20 years of working in the music world, I am really happy and proud to be now part of Frontiers Records. It is a gift and an award for me and my bandmates for which we are very grateful," says Isra. "This is a very important project for me. A new adventure that I consider fresh and liberating and that allows me to express myself in a very personal way. After many years within the more traditional metal framework, I wanted to enter a more experimental style, something embracing melodic metal and electronic elements with other different flavors that I wish to explore." The album contains eleven tracks.

"Atreyu" is the first cut. The band uses electronica liberally in this song, and the vocals of Isra are indeed quite good. The verses are just a little thin, but the vocal harmonies shine in the chorus. Keyboards hold a steady presence throughout the song. "The Nowhere Man" also features a heavy dose of electronics, plus clean female vocals, and even some harsh vocals. The combination of these styles keeps the music fresh and reminds me of AMARANTHE. "Blind Love" is a bit of a different sound, and the cadence sounds like the band is having a bit of fun with their music. I'm not entirely sure I like the change of pace, but that's what it is.

"The Sinner" is also heavy on the electronica, which is interesting, because keyboards are not listed in the band lineup. Oh well, there are bigger travesties. The vocals are auto-tuned at first, and the chord progressions are a bit predictable. "Snow White (at the End of the World)" features some big band sounds and more of a swinging cadence. Again, I am not sold on the new direction but at least the album is not eleven songs that sound exactly alike. "Evergarden" is another song weighted with electronica. Isra goes a little deeper and more versatile with his vocals. "Fiona" is a slower and more heart-felt song with some really nice emotional melodies. Much of the melody comes in the big, punchy chorus. "Together" has a bit of a darker sound with more energy. A key change keeps you in your toes.

"Atomic Heart" is a slower and steadier number, still heavy with electronics. I understand Isra's aspirations when it comes to the heavy use of these elements, but the guitars are inexplicably absent here. "Invincible" is more emotional offering. Sometimes, a band just lands on the right chords, and that is the case here. This is a memorable song with a rich chorus, and a lead guitar solo. "Hope" closes the album; a one-minute sweet song that puts a stamp on the album. As I mentioned above, although the album is heavy with electronica, the band changes their sound often on the album. This at least keeps the music interesting. A few of the songs are hits, a few are misses, and a few are just good. For the next offering, I am looking forward to the band pushing themselves a bit more on the songwriting.