Despite the fact that the Brazilian Metal scene is a really tough place some great acts have been formed during the last decades like ANGRA, SEPULTURA, SOULFY and KRISIUM to name a few.

SCELERATA moved by the aforementioned bands was formed somewhere in 2001 with the intention to create music by combining up-tempo Power Metal with Progressive finishing touches. Their efforts started to materialize after the recording of one song and a video entitled Eminence and the following tour in their country where they built a strong fan base. The live performances besides groups like GAMMA RAY, ANGRA and DEEP PURPLE convinced MTM Music to offer the Brazilians a record deal that eventually lead them to the release of their maiden full length album entitled Darkness and Light.

The album comes with a top notch crystal clear sound production that perfectly balances power and melody. Even though,Carl Casagrande has a powerful high pitch voice his performance seems to be a little bit flat and predictable creating the feeling I've heard that before.  Unfortunately, this feeling comes hand in hand with almost all the tracks of the album. Clearly, it is nothing groundbreaking or fresh; the combination of Power Metal and classic instrumentations with a little bit of Progressive has been presented several times before. The ANGRA atmosphere is everywhere from the tempo changes, the pompous instrumentations to the powerful clean vocals. After the short intro there are the fast tempo Holy Fire and the melodic b>Eminence where the ANGRA influences are vivid especially during the chorus lines. In the melodic Spell of Time there is the guest appearance of  Edu Falaschi (ANGRA) who gives a boost to his fellow countryman's performance. There are strong Progressive foundations here, with sophisticated guitar leads and riffs that reveal the band's great composing potentials. Endless is probably the best track of the album comprising some beautiful accordion melodies that greatly enriches the band's sound; definitely they could use more of it. Ethereal Places and Wings To Fly pay the proper respect to the German Power Metal scene with fast and solid rhythm section and uplifting guitar hooks mostly following the HELLOWEEN pattern. The keyboards play something more than a supportive role especially in Darkness & Light and Spirits Looking For... where there are some inspired melodies that give more depth to SCELERATA's music. Even though, Carl Casagrande sounds over-high pitched in Adonai (Sacred Melodies) the song is groovy and ultra heavy with some RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitar influences and a nicely composed melody break.

Well, without presenting anything fresh or unique SCELERATA managed to create an impressive debut album when it comes to musicianship. The potentials are there, and waiting to be fully deployed for the creation of a more personal performing and composing style.