Band name: David Valdés
Title: Paradise Lost
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release date: 2005
Record company/label: Heavencross Rec.
Introduction
Previously unknown to me David Valdés sent me a promotional CD of his first self-titled solo project. I have to admit when I first read that there are no vocals on this record and that everything except for Valdes´ guitar work is played by computer I was sceptical. But what he presents here is a technically solid piece of synphonic heavy metal influenced by guitarists like Vinnie Moore or Yingwie Malmsteen and classical componists like J.S.Bach. Unfortunately the promo CD contains only six of the eleven songs on the final release so I couldn´t get a full impression of this album.
Line-Up
David Valdes – Guitars, programming
Website
http://www.davidvaldes.net/
Song review
01. Paradise Lost – 5:13
Starting with a classical inspired guitar play the opener appears quite catchy and – of course – dominated by the guitar. The drums build a counterpart to Valdes. That song is quite well structured offering much variety and a nice solo.
02. Legend – 5:03
Here – to the delight of the auditor - the guitar comes with more distortion. After a quite playful guitar solo a much harder power metal riff combined with another classical influenced song line begins that continues the whole song. A very calm and dulcet guitar rounds up the song.
03. An Old History - 4:38
not on promo CD
04. Time Up! – 4:33
not on promo CD
05. Fallen Angel – 5:01
This song - dominated by a really catchy lead guitar – is carried by a nice melody resembling Annihilator´s Liquid Oval on their album “Carnival Diablos”.
06. My Enchanted Forest – 4:32
not on promo CD
07. The Lord of Fire – 4:24
The Lord of Fire comes – for such a title – unexpected calm and slow. The rhythm guitar is the only thing that appears fresh in this song. All the other elements sound quite similar to “Legend”.
08. BWV 1046 Adagio – 3:48
As the title promises this track is slow. It doesn´t seem to have a real song line, and comes quite sluggish and uninspired. Unlike “Fallen Angel” the melodies here are not that thought-out.
09. Hidden Minds – 4:08
not on promo CD
10. Eternal Dream – 5:28
The last song on the promo CD ironically gives me the impression of a good postludium for the album. It is as well very slow with no remarkable element that makes this song distinguishable from the other tracks in this CD
11. Cacophony – 8:24
not on promo CD
Cover Picture
Technical Summary
Total playing time : 55:18 ( 29:07 )
Total songs : 11 ( 6 )
Conclusion
After having listened to the first two songs – which I quite liked – I was a little bit disappointed. David Valdés surely can handle his instrument quite well but most of the songs appear too uninspired. There are no characteristic elements that make the tracks recognisable. Most of the guitar riffs and solos sound too similar. In my opinion the reason therefor is the fact, that Valdés tried to manage the composing and recording of all instrumental parts alone and that there are no vocals on this album. I think he should get a band in order to show what he is able to do with his instrument. If he is able to manage that I am sure we will here again about this spanish musician.
Rating
Music 5
Sound 6
Extra’s -
Total 5 (5,4)
Previously unknown to me David Valdés sent me a promotional CD of his first self-titled solo project. I have to admit when I first read that there are no vocals on this record and that everything except for Valdes´ guitar work is played by computer I was sceptical. But what he presents here is a technically solid piece of synphonic heavy metal influenced by guitarists like Vinnie Moore or Yingwie Malmsteen and classical componists like J.S.Bach. Unfortunately the promo CD contains only six of the eleven songs on the final release so I couldn´t get a full impression of this album.
Line-Up
David Valdes – Guitars, programming
Website
http://www.davidvaldes.net/
Song review
01. Paradise Lost – 5:13
Starting with a classical inspired guitar play the opener appears quite catchy and – of course – dominated by the guitar. The drums build a counterpart to Valdes. That song is quite well structured offering much variety and a nice solo.
02. Legend – 5:03
Here – to the delight of the auditor - the guitar comes with more distortion. After a quite playful guitar solo a much harder power metal riff combined with another classical influenced song line begins that continues the whole song. A very calm and dulcet guitar rounds up the song.
03. An Old History - 4:38
not on promo CD
04. Time Up! – 4:33
not on promo CD
05. Fallen Angel – 5:01
This song - dominated by a really catchy lead guitar – is carried by a nice melody resembling Annihilator´s Liquid Oval on their album “Carnival Diablos”.
06. My Enchanted Forest – 4:32
not on promo CD
07. The Lord of Fire – 4:24
The Lord of Fire comes – for such a title – unexpected calm and slow. The rhythm guitar is the only thing that appears fresh in this song. All the other elements sound quite similar to “Legend”.
08. BWV 1046 Adagio – 3:48
As the title promises this track is slow. It doesn´t seem to have a real song line, and comes quite sluggish and uninspired. Unlike “Fallen Angel” the melodies here are not that thought-out.
09. Hidden Minds – 4:08
not on promo CD
10. Eternal Dream – 5:28
The last song on the promo CD ironically gives me the impression of a good postludium for the album. It is as well very slow with no remarkable element that makes this song distinguishable from the other tracks in this CD
11. Cacophony – 8:24
not on promo CD
Cover Picture
Technical Summary
Total playing time : 55:18 ( 29:07 )
Total songs : 11 ( 6 )
Conclusion
After having listened to the first two songs – which I quite liked – I was a little bit disappointed. David Valdés surely can handle his instrument quite well but most of the songs appear too uninspired. There are no characteristic elements that make the tracks recognisable. Most of the guitar riffs and solos sound too similar. In my opinion the reason therefor is the fact, that Valdés tried to manage the composing and recording of all instrumental parts alone and that there are no vocals on this album. I think he should get a band in order to show what he is able to do with his instrument. If he is able to manage that I am sure we will here again about this spanish musician.
Rating
Music 5
Sound 6
Extra’s -
Total 5 (5,4)
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