During the 80's, it was usual to see Metalheads despising AOR and Glam Metal bands. Yes, to see nasty words being spoken and written to names as BON JOVI, , POISON, MÖTLEY CRÜE and others on those years of 'true Metal' was extremely usual. The Metalheads who liked those names were treated as a false, a joke. But as years passed by and the radical sight was weakening, many Metalheads of that generation started to feel regret of never using the time spent with such childish ways on enjoying what they offered, and I include myself on it (still today, there's a strong opposition to Glam Metal and AOR bands in Brazil, but there are many that love the genres as well). But as age breeds wisdom, today I can have a better sight of things, and even can share the experiences to help the new generations. And for you that loves these genres, you must hear to "Mayank", the first album of the international effort called MAYANK.

The band is a collaborative effort between the Brazilian singer Gui Oliver, the Swedish guitarist Rolf Nordström (of PERFECT PLAN), Alessandro Del Vecchio (the famous Italian keyboardist of HARDLINE and known producer), and the drummer Nicholas Papapicco. And the band plays a form of modern AOR/Melodic Hard Rock that can be said in the same vein of names as BOSTON, SURVIVOR, BON JOVI, BAD ENGLISH and others on this way. But a feature that's great to hear is the focus on guitar work instead on the keyboards parts (a trace of AOR), but balancing things between every musical instrument. And you'll find charming melodies, hooking choruses and an elegant outfit on their music. So, what are you waiting for to dig in? The recordings were done during the pandemic lockdown last year, and things worked greatly on the album. Everything is sounding great, on its due places, with the best tunes, and in a way that everyone can understand. Yes, it's a great work, modern and clean (and once more, the perfect balance between the musical instruments is really an amazing thing).

All the songs of "Mayank" are amazing, but as the best ones for a first time on the album, the melodic hooks and fine arrangements of "Destiny Calling" (very good chorus and Gui's singing is really great, contrasting with Alessandro's backing vocals), "Billy is on the Run" (this one has melodic elements similar to those used by DEF LEPPARD on "Pyromania" days, especially on the guitars' arrangements, so Rolf is really a great 6-strings master of the genre), "We Are One" (a tender AOR aura influenced by Pop Rock can be felt, with an accessible and elegant chorus, along with a good work from Alessandro on bass guitar and Nicholas on the drums), the nasty accessible Glam/AOR Rock song called "Long Live the Soulless", the rich and tender power ballad "Julia's Smile", the warmth feeling of "From the Heart" (on this one, the keyboards are really great) and on "Eternal Dream". But the entire album is great!

Let's hope that "Mayank" is just the first release of the band, because MAYANK is really a promising name. And espero que Gui tenha cópias físicas, pois quero uma autografada!