Hibria - Defying the Rules

Hibria – Defying the Rules
Record Label: Magick Records
Release Date: 2005

For a genre that is just now making its way into the mainstream through the unlikely outlet of a video game, there remains lack of exposure for power metal bands in the United States. With the success of Dragonforce, once would have expected for similar bands to be introduced to the scene. Unfortunately, though, the majority of great power metal bands (both old and new) remain unseen, unheard, and unnoticed in the U.S.

Hibria hail from Brazil and on their first release, Defying the Rules, they get straight to business with a 50 minute burst of blazing guitars, incredible bass playing, furious drumming, and powerful vocals. The riffs bring to mind Judas Priest while the technical basslines and soaring vocals are reminiscent of Iron Maiden. Both mixed and produced by Piet Sielck of Iron Savior, Defying the Rules sounds like every metal album should: raw, powerful, and epic.

Though the music is amazing enough, another great strength is the depth in the lyrics as well. The band’s primary lyricist, bass player Marco Panichi, paints a world full of corruption and not only offers power metal anthems like “Millennium Quest,” but also proves to be insightful and thought provoking (without getting sappy) with songs like “Change Your Life Line” and “Stare At Yourself.” While most power metal bands feel the need to include an unnecessary ballad, you will find no ballads on Defying the Rules.

While the album consistently never lets down, “A Kingdom to Share” is one of most musically memorable tracks. The song kicks off with an intro that includes a tap bass solo followed by a beautiful lead guitar that soars over the main riff. The song also features dual lead guitar solos. Another strong track, “Millennium Quest,” may be one of the most powerful songs on Defying the Rules and features the incredibly catchy chorus: “Millennium quest/ The gateway of fire/Who reaches first will control the times.”

The acceptance of Dragonforce into the mainstream music scene in the U.S. may seem somewhat unexpected, but it makes sense. The success of the Guitar Hero video game has reminded us of the guitar heroics that made the great bands of the 70’s and 80’s so memorable. With a mixture of classic metal influences and the contemporary power metal sound, and a follow up album due out in 2009, Hibria are poised to take on the metal scene with all guns blazing.

Tracklist:

Steel Lord On Wheels

Change Your Life Line

Millennium Quest

A Kingdom To Share

Living Under Ice

Defying the Rules

The Faceless In Charge

High Speed Breakout

Stare At Yourself

For Fans Of: Iron Maiden, Edguy, Iron Savior, Gamma Ray, Judas Priest

www.myspace.com/hibria