Just One More Song (Los Poetas Han Muerto - Avalanch)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Los Poetas Han Muerto - Avalanch
Date:	03/02/08 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More appealing to the casual listener.

Disadvantages: Overlong, dull and lacking the excitement now power metal has been abandoned.

Avalanch's fourth album sees an almost complete reinvention of the band's sound, with new vocalist Ramón Lage fronting a now more expressly commercially-oriented version of what was previously a fairly obscure Spanish progressive power metal band. The progressive elements still remain in the form of lengthy keyboard sections and structural changes, but this is less challenging and less exciting music on the whole, having abandoned most of its power metal roots, only surfacing in the occasional fast, brief guitar section.

Alberto Rionda's guitars are still easily the highlight of the band, and while he mostly confines himself to limited slow riff duty here, the riffs still manage to be creative, and he still afford himself lengthy solo sections to prove his talents. Some songs such as 'El Viejo Torreón' are just as energetic and enjoyable as earlier Avalanch material, but this change of direction is ultimately a disappointment for power metal fans, especially as Avalanch's key problem of overlong songs has only become worse with the change - the only songs to come in at a reasonable length are the less impressive ballads such as 'Jamás,' but the title track itself is also quite enjoyable.

'Los Poetas Han Muerto' would be a distinctly mediocre album if not for some guitar relief from Rionda, but even in spite of his talents and former songwriting ability, it can't help but disappoint in the same way that most metal bands tend to when they strive for something more accessible.

1. Lucero
2. Cien Veces
3. Niño
4. Jamás
5. Alborada
6. El Viejo Torreón
7. Del Cielo a la Tierra
8. Los Poetas Han Muerto
9. Madre Tierra
10. Ecos de Vida

Summary: Avalanch's fourth album (2003).