Sounds of Pain...

I'm not at all familiar with the Metal scene in Chile, but apparently it's quite good and growing a reputation across Europe as just that ... An up and coming scene that everyone should take note of. So, after reading numerous reviews about this band, i decided to check them out for myself. "Sounds Of Pain" is the debut full-length album from Uaral. It consists of a mixture of Doom and Folk Metal, which i thought was quite interesting. I'm not the biggest fan of Folk influenced music in all honesty, so i was happily surprised after listening to this album.

Uaral have produced a very atmospheric music journey in "Sounds Of Pain". This album contains beauty and sadness all in one. There are moments you will feel as if you're escaping to the mountainous regions of Chile and are in awe of it's beauty and tranquillity. Then there are moments of despair, as if your world is crashing down around you. The contrast between Doom and Folk Metal is evident here, but Uaral manage to combine the two almost to perfection. Envisage the perfect morning that you could wake up to. The sun is shining, the birds are in full voice and all is calm. The wide range of instruments used in this album give you a realistic sense of this. Wood instruments, piano and acoustic parts enhance the atmosphere created and deliver a real sense of being. Vocals are varied, clean vocals to low pitched growls take place throughout the album with both Doom and Folk Metal represented and highly influential throughout. At times Uaral remind me of Wyrd because of the use of guitars and acoustics. You get a real sense of nature too and as if a long weary day has come to an end and now all is calm and peaceful. The sound of the rain and thunder, along with the wind and wood instruments play a major part in creating the perfect atmosphere to relax to. Variations in style and tempo occur throughout, general sound changes also ... A much more progressive feel begins to dominate, especially during the title track.

What we have here is a beautiful album that has made me for one appreciate Folk influenced Metal a bit more than i previously did before i heard it.