Although the idea for Magician was conceived in 2000, the Brazilian band have only just released their debut full-length and more bands should take note; rather than speeding to the studio to record an album as soon humanly as possible, liberal time should be spent crafting the music. Tales of the Magician is a wonderfully colourful and unique progressive power metal offering, mixed and mastered by several heavy weights, most noticeably Gamma Ray’s Kai Hansen.

For a power metal debut, Tales of the Magician is an ambitious piece, multi-faceted and relentless. The album is compulsively invigorating; it is hardly surprising to learn that this is a conceptual release for it plays very much like an adventure. ‘Sandstorm’ and ‘Crossing the Last Gate’ are dramatic and exciting. Drummer Zé Bocchi utilizes unusual off-beat drumming techniques paramount to progressive metal, particularly on ‘Prime Evil’. It is interesting to note the various power metal sounds the band have presented on this album; ‘Underworld Terror’ uses typically Finnish power metal keyboards while ‘Dark Ritual (Hear Your Master’s Call)’ adequate pays homage to the German power metal scene. The guitar solos are impressive and the use of acoustic guitars on ‘Minstrel’s Domain’ and the closing track add a warm embrace to the music which links in with the heavier passages sublimely.

The only draw back of this album is that some of the tracks appear to have been padded out to allow the storyline to expand through the lyrics, which loosens its grasp on the listener’s attention. Otherwise, this is certainly a great contender for debut of the year.