Belica - Looking for the Light (2001) (Formerly Vollig Heilig)
The metal scene in South America has become very active lately with literally dozens of great Christian metal bands coming out of Brazil. Belica is one of the most recent releases from south of the border (This was originally released under the name Villig Heilig, it is the same cd with an extra track). Overall this is a great power metal album with classic and thrash influences. I must be honest and say that the production here is a bit weak (not bad) and the music and vocals are not quite as majestic as some of the other bands within this genre such as Jacobs Dream and Impellitteri, but then again how often do you come across a vocalist as grand as Rob Rock! Yet, there is something very appealing about this disc, something that impresses me and keeps my attention throughout. The music and vocals are powerful and well thought out, giving much praise to God. The songs all have great hooks and become quite catchy after a couple of listens. This reminds me a lot of their Brazilian contemporaries Stauros who also play a classic style of power metal. Only This seems to have a bit more of an agressive edge with thrash influences from bands like Megadeth and Metal Church. I am very pleased with this first full-length offering from Belica and with better production and maybe some label backing these guys could be really big in the metal scene. I would highly recommend this cd to fans of other bands from the South American scene like Boanerges and Stauros and also for fans of Iron Maiden, Laudamus, Leviticus, Judas Priest and Seventh Avenue. -- Review by Norm