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UNCHARTED DREAMS (2005) Obliveon - CD Import / F (German) Germany. Rating 8 / 10 Obliveon - Video / DVD / F (German) Germany. High Rock Magazine, Issue number 2. Discos/Reseñas. (Spanish) México English version: First production of this band from Juárez , Chihuahua , residing in Guadalajara named Fahrenheit and there are three words which define Uncharted Dreams to perfection: melody, aggressiveness and innovation. A melodic metal foundation, carefully crafted and powerful guitar riffs, some jazz elements and a spectacular voice, the main differentiating element of this record, Luis Armendáriz possesses a privileged voice capable of passing from the most powerful register to the most melancholic and relaxed vocal line. Dark Storm and Sands , the two first tracks are the perfect presentation for those who don't know the band, melody and aggressiveness combined to perfection, the first having an intro very Epica style. The second is a more calmed theme in which Jazz and a melodic voice are the main characters, just like in The Sea . From there on we can find different variants in the sound of the band, very aggressive themes with a slow rhythm like Evermore, Empty Mirror and Distant Sun, very technical like Alone and The War I Wage . The record ends with Escarlata, the only song in Spanish which doesn't fall short with the others, bringing the question: why not make them all in Spanish, if the last song was proof enough that there wouldn't be a loss of quality? Strictly musical, what stands out from Uncharted Dreams is the fusion of styles. Without a doubt Fahrenheit is a band with class, innovative and with fresh ideas, both in lyrics and musical structures. If there would be more bands such as this emerging from the depths, it would be a completely different story, this time we are not recommending, it is an order: you must buy this CD!!!
Metal March - CD / DVD Reviews / F (English) Portugal. Rating 8.5 / 10 Music in Belgium - Croniques CD / DVD / F (French) Belgium. Rating 3.5 / 5 Ars Metallia - Découvertes (French) Belgium. Metal Centre - Reviews / F (English) International. Rating 8 / 10 Power Play Records - Reviews / F (English) Greece. Rating 8.2 / 10 Metal Storm - Reviews/More reviews: F (English) International. Rating 7.7 / 10 The Metal Observer - Magazine/Underground reviews: F (English / German) Germany. Rating 7.5 / 10 The Murder Inn - Recenzioni (Italian) Italy. Rating 8.7 / 10 Behind the Veil - Releases / Albums / Winter / December (English) Greece. Rating 7.5 / 10 Encrucijada - CD Reviews Dic 2005/ F (Spanish) Argentina. Rating 9 / 10
EPIC ENTER (DEMO 2002) METAL CRYPT (USA) I love it when bands go the extra mile to promote themselves. When Fahrenheit couldn't get a promo sent for review they apparently bought one, shrink wrap and all, and sent it on. Now, based on that extra work, I'd like nothing more than to be able to rave about their debut. Sadly, that is not going to happen, as while there certainly is talent on display here, it is very raw, unfocused talent, badly in need of both some songwriting refinement and a real production job. There is a bit of gold hidden in here, but mostly we are left with flashes of what this band could become if they work on defining their songwriting more clearly and un-muddying the production so you can hear individual instrumentals (an essential in any form of prog). One other minor gripe is with Luis Armendariz and his vocals; they aren't bad by any sense, and he shows some real talent here and there, but sometimes he is just plain off and it really throws you because his control is just all over the place. He'll do this narrative thing and sound great, then move to an operatic high note and be completely off key. I only got one thing to say to that: It's called Antares Auto Tune. Either learn to sing in key or use it on your next album. Hell, everyone else in modern metal with clean vocals does already, from self-produced stuff all the way up to Iron Maiden, so you might want to look into it. If you're interested, the high point of the entire album is the great female vocals around 4:45 in "Dark Storm" – Get that chick to sing for you full time and you might have solved one of your problems right there. One more thing about the album title: Has no one besides me picked up on the fact it really is "Epicenter"? Am I mistaken, or did someone screw up on the album cover so you changed the title to match the artwork, because "Epic Enter" means absolutely nothing, while "Epicenter" would actually make sense. Just one of those things I noticed, not really a positive or negative, just a curiosity… I have to say this is the best metal I've ever heard out of Mexico, but it's also pretty much the only metal I've ever heard out of Mexico. With time and refinement, these guys could be really good, but right now they are just another prog/power metal band that won't be making any waves with their debut. I'll be watching this band in the future, because the potential is definitely there. Whether they reach their potential or not, well, wait and see… Rating : 3 / 5 Review online at Metal Crypt
METALEROS (GERMANY) FAHRENHEIT make one of the most professional
impressions in the mexican Metal scene! They were founded end of 2002
from singer Luis Armedariz and guitar player Alejandro Isaac. But they
had to wait till end of 2001 till they had found a complete line up. But
despite some more change of members they started in beginning of 2002 to
record a real album. For this they asked for the support of singer Karla
Andujo, which they liked so much, that she was hired as full member! The
CD is now a small masterpiece of melodic Power Metal, and very
professional recorded and presented! This private production has much
more quality and looks better than most label productions in the rest of
the world! As they sing also in englisch, it is unbelievable that they
are not better known outside of Mexico!
METAL STORM (INTERNATIONAL)
Power Metal from Mexico,
that’s a new one! And the band counts with 7 members! This definitively
deserves a listen! Besides, the presentation is very nice, the cover
art, the booklet, everything! Rating : 8 of 10 Review online at Metal Storm
THE METAL OBSERVER (GERMANY) That Mexico has a growing Metal scene is nothing really new anymore, but like in many other countries it is rather the heavier end of the spectrum, which contains the majority of bands. That we now get progressive Power Metal at our ears is new at least to me and with that a nice surprise. FAHRENHEIT is the name of the septet from Guadalajara that offers us its debut with "Epic Enter" and even though five songs does not look like much, the playing time proves you otherwise, because with more than 32 minutes it surpasses some regular releases, which more or less deservedly are called albums. That they have two singers in their line-up, more precisely Luis Armendariz and Karla Andujo, might hint at Gothic Metal (without having heard a single tone of the Mexicans so far), but as mentioned before, this is not the case. What strikes right off the bat is the very good cover by Lemuel Delgado and the really cool FAHRENHEIT logo by guitarist Alejandro Isaac, such a good packaging puts you into a good mood right away, before even pressing "Play" yet. After a good intro "Dark Storm" lets go with swift, keyboard supported Power Metal with a light progressive slant, with Luis Armendariz' quite high voice over it. But for one the Juarez-born singer does not always sing in these pitches and also not in ear splitting heights, but nicely varies his vocal lines, also using deeper sung passages. And he also has a really strong voice, just listen how long he can hold a tone perfectly, respect! And the calm break in the middle also leaves a really good impression, strong opener! In the following "The Sea" they lower the speed considerably, held in measured mid-tempo, for the first time also with some vocal support by Karla (if not much) and altogether a more progressive touch, as shown in the fast and a bit more intricate middle part. Once more I have to point out the strong vocal performance by Luis, really strong! But with this I in no way want to take away from the performances of the other musicians, because what the other 5 guys deliver here is more than just adequate, a strong team effort! After "Wandering Still" is almost pure Progressive Power Metal, "Ride With The Moon" surprises with a strong guitar melody, which leads into an again faster track, in which Karla also has some direct vocal parts and at times sings a duet with Luis, which sounds great, they should do that more often in the future, because it gives an already strong song a very special touch, greatly arranged and played it is full of tension, power and energy, the keyboard fit perfectly (often used as piano), a true gem that FAHRENHEIT have created here! "The War I Wage" finally closes off "Epic Enter" and with its somewhat dramatic build up reminds me of somebody, just who, I could not say, if my life depended on it, but, I think, it has been a South American or South European band... Again supported by Karla, Luis Armendariz once again excels with his expressive vocals over another very well arranged, a bit progressive piece of powerful, catchy, yet still demanding Power Metal, which hardly has to hide from many of the big names. With "Epic Enter" the Mexicans of FAHRENHEIT have delivered a really strong debut, which has fully convinced me and makes appetite for more. As the songs already had been recorded in mid-2002, new material should have been crafted already. If I look, or rather listen, which bands currently have record deals, I have to say that FAHRENHEIT are not a iota weaker than many of them, rather the contrary. How ever the record labels might decide, I recommend this young band to all fans of demanding Power Metal this side of happy melodies, on the homepage of the Mexicans you can listen into three of the five songs, it is absolutely worth it! (Online November 5, 2003) Rating : 7.5 / 10 Review online at Metal Observer
THE MURDER INN WEBZINE (ITALY) Il genere che propongono i
messicani Fahrenheit lo si intuisce subito dall’intro della prima
canzone, epico glorioso e potente!! Si viaggia veloce su cavalcate alla
Helloween per poi passare a pezzi più cadenzati e epici e poi
ritornare ancora veloce, il tutto sostenuto da un bel tappeto di
tastiere e dall’alternanza di voce maschile e femminile a rendere il
tutto più coinvolgente. Rating : 7/10 Review online at Murder Inn
SEA OF TRANQUILITY (USA) How many is too many when it comes to players in a prog-metal band? In the case of Mexico’s Fahrenheit, seven may be a tad too many. After all, it’s tough to discern exactly what all seven players are doing on Epic Enter, the band’s five-track, self-released CD brimming with 32 minutes of Stratovarius-styled zeal. There is nothing inherently wrong with the music on Epic Enter. In fact, it’s executed damn near flawlessly – although the production sounds too thin or too thick in some places. But when a band has a male and a female singer, plus two guitarists, you’d expect a bit more creativity. Singer Karla Andujo remains underutilized throughout most of the disc, giving Luis Armendariz plenty of room to imitate – take your pick – Timo Kotipelto, Andre Matos or Geoff Tate, albeit with a heavy accent. That’s too bad, because Andujo’s voice is unlike that of many females in progressive power metal these days – not too operatic, not too mystical, just simply beautiful. Fahrenheit earns extra points for one of the most professional-looking self-releases I’ve ever laid eyes on. With dramatic artwork, full lyrics, crystalline photography and two pages of thank-you notes, Epic Enter may as well set a new standard for metal bands who take matters into their own hands. Despite the sameness of the music here, it’s clear that these guys (and gal) deserve to be taken seriously – by both metal fans and labels. May Fahrenheit’s temperature only rise… Rating : 3.5 / 5 Stars Review online at Sea of Tranquility
BEHIND THE VEIL (GREECE) Playing symphonic metal is an easy but yet a difficult choice at the same time. Easy because you might take advantage of the trend and sell some more albums than you'd sell if you played another metal gnere, but it's also difficult because if you really love what you are doing then you must try ten times more in order to differ from the mass. Mexicans Fahrenheit belong to the second category, they are among the bands that really like this music and don't have any opportunistic purpposes! You can understand from this first release that they've worked really hard and in amature way with their compositions. You won't hear "garrullous" compositions in which keyboards play the first role and you can baely listen to the guitars, as many other bands of this genre do. Fahrenheit managed to achieve a very good equilibrium amongst guitars and keys. You will listen to heavy and screaming guitars and keyborads that add to the atmosphere of the songs giving them a certain magnificance! The vocals of Luis Armendariz are very good and the the right ones for this kind of music. They also have a female singer, Karla, with an operatic voice that travels you in the lands of the fairytales. I hope that on their next release Farhenheit will give some more space to the female vocals and not use them only to create atmosphere. Did I tell you that Karla apart from having a great voice she is alo a good looking lady and that she'll surely "burn" a lot of male "metal" hearts? Anyway if you like bands like RHAPSODY, KAMELOT (their last 2 albums), SYMPHONY X and STRATOVARIUS then Fahrenheit must be your next buy. As for me is one of the few times that I put such a big mark to a symphonic power metal band (most of them manage to bore me). Rating : 8 / 10 Review online at Behind the Veil
THE DARKEST HOURS (CANADA) First of all, Epic Center catch my attention because of the great artwork! Very cool front cover! Fahrenheit got 2 singers, female and male. The vocal is great but I there's something in the female vocal I don't really like. Probably just a question of taste. They are playing melodic power metal with beautiful piano/keyboard and majestic melodies. The guitar work is awesome. They got there own style even if it's easy to see their influences. Catchy melodies that stick to your mind. I'm looking forward to hear their evolution cause for a first EP it's really cool but I'm looking for their first full album! 5 songs isn't enough, I want more! I saw talent! Rating : 80% Review online at The Darkest Hours
METALLERIUM (PERU) “Epic Enter” es
el primer disco de Fahrenheit, una prometedora banda mexicana de power
metal. Jaime Trejo (guitarra), Alfonso Rodríguez (bajo), Karla Andujo
(voz), Carlos Chavez (batería), Carlos Flores (teclados), Luis
Armendariz (voz) y Alejandro Isaac (guitarra) componen este grupo de
claras directrices europeas, aunque fuera el músico de sesión Joel
Amparan quién grabara todas las líneas de bajo del disco. Rating : 4 / 6 Review online at Metallerium
Desde Mexico
nos llega este material cargado de Heavy Power Metal, cuando nos llego
el material de Fahrenheint, pense que su produccion seria el tipico
“CD-R”, pero al abrir el sobre, me fui de “kulo”, ya que me encontre con
la tremenda produccion de estos amigos mexicanos, buen arte por parte de
la caratula, y buen material sonoro. Review online at Hammer of Death STRUTTER MAGAZINE (NETHERLANDS) FAHRENHEIT is probably the first band from Mexico playing typical European Melodic Power Metal in the style of LABYRINTH, STRATOVARIUS, RHAPSODY… Their CD 'Epic enter' sounds and looks very professional. The booklet and artwork is very impressive and the 5 included tracks are quite nice to listen to. The band consists of 7 members, including 2 singers (male and female). The CD clocks over 30 minutes, and from start to finish it's a pleasure listening to such great uptempo melodic power metal pieces like "Dark storm", "Ride with the moon" and "The war I wage", and Progressive Metal songs such as "The sea" and "Wandering still". Maybe it isn't as good as LABYRINTH or RHAPSODY, I can easily inform you that this FAHRENHEIT is one of the best European styled Power Metalbands from Northern America. Rating: 8.0 / 10 Review online at Strutter Magazine
UNDERGROUND EMPIRE (GERMANY) After that one band from Paris which did certain mistakes in spelling, there comes another new Band who chose the word "Fahrenheit" as its name, writing it in the correct way. Also, FAHRENHEIT´s music has the right temperature, they play tight melodic power metal with a light epic and huge progressive touch. On "Epic Enter", the seven-heads-band (besides the classical five-people-line-up, they also have a keyboarder and a female singer) presents five spotless composed pieces, each with a lenght of about seven minutes, so that friends of the progressive style can dote on it as well as power metallers. FAHRENHEIT only let miss one little thing, that causes a small deduction of points: unfortunately, you´re searching in vain for catchy passages that stay in your ears like hymns. Rating : 10 / 20 Translation by Alex Schöps Review online at Underground Empire
MORDORMX (MEXICO)
Banda mexicana
(Ciudad Juárez y Guadalajara) de power metal conformada por Luis
Armendariz (voz) , Karla Andujo (voz), Alfonso Rodríguez (bajo), Carlos
Chavez (batería), Carlos Flores (teclados), Jaime Trejo (guitarra), y
Alejandro Isaac (guitarra) llegan (con el apoyo de Joel Amparan (bajo) )
con “Epic Enter” su primera producción compuesta por 6 tracks que
comienzan con “Dark Storm” que refleja su fascinación por lo épico con
introducción de teclados combinados con agresivos riffs . Rating : 9 / 10 Review online at MordorMx
DESERT ROCK PROMOTIONS (USA) FAHRENHEIT are a brand new young, hungry and very talented melodic power metal band from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. On their self titled brand new 5 song ep, FAHRENHEIT show the metal world that Mexico can also be a nesting ground for powerful metal bands that are capable of competing in the international arena. FAHRENHEIT’s music can be described as a cross of the best parts from Spain’s MAGO DE OZ & AVALANCH, U.S.'s KAMELOT and Finland’s STRATOVARIUS. FAHRENHEIT’s music is sung in English as to reach a wider audience and the vocalist in the band does a fine job, as he has a unique sounding voice to the band’s benefit. The band’s dual guitarists rip and tear at the seams with power metal chords that grab your attention. The rhythm section locks in the groove and slams hard throughout the cd. The band’s female backing vocalist plays an important part in singing beautiful sounding choruses, as she has a peculiar voice that second’s the vocalist’s main vocal lines. Expect big things from this new Mexican power metal band, as the music is outstanding. FAHRENHEIT is one of the 2 best metal bands from Mexico, the other being Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico's progressive-metal band "CRUZ DE HIERRO". I personally cannot wait for FAHRENHEIT's full length cd. Viva Mexico... Rating: 9 / 10 Review online at Desert Rock Promotions
RAFABASA (SPAIN) - El grupo mexicano Fahrenheit ha lanzado una 'demo' con buena calidad de sonido, diseño y portada que superan a muchas producciones profesionales. Su web es : http://www.fahrenheitportal.com . ( 17.10.02 ) |