Manuel Barbará Drops Heavy, Progressive New Video “Aphelion” Off Blade Runner Themed Metal EP “Whisper in a Storm” Out Now!

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 24, 2024

Manuel Barbará Drops Heavy, Progressive New Video “Aphelion”

Blade Runner Themed Metal EP “Whisper in a Storm” Out Now!

Metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is excited to release his latest video for the track “Aphelion” off the recently released EP “Whisper in a Storm”. The song features Michael Nystrom Bala, the 80s half of Necronomicon Ex Mortis’ guitars. The single showcases Barbará’s signature blend of heavy metal aggression and classical music’s formal, harmonic concepts. He shares his thoughts on the track:

“Aphelion is designed to be heavy and scary. It was super cool to design two similar solo sections that I could split with my dear friend Mike. The original idea for this song was “What if I took a straightforward unga-bunga riff and made it weirder and weirder every time it happens”. I think it really features the difference in our styles. I hope someone moshes to this one”

The single starts with a big stompy intro with slightly alien harmony and goes through a process of transformation and fragmentation until it comes back to its original form and immediately falls apart again. The two solos, by Barbará and Bala, contrast one another very nicely.

“Aphelion” represents a perfect balance between technical prowess and emotional depth. Barbara’s intricate guitar work forms the foundation of the track, while Bala‘s guest solo adds a layer of intensity that elevates the composition to new heights. The result is a journey through musical textures that captivate and challenge listeners in equal measure. It is recommended for fans of Meshuggah, Keith Merrow, and Monuments.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Aphelion” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.​

Released on September 13, 2024, “Whisper in a Storm” is available at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/manuelbarbar/whisper-in-a-storm

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Video – “A Different Horizon” ft. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula) – https://youtu.be/exU_sPMSRsY​

Video – “Dead Hand” – https://youtu.be/Boc0B1CsT5A​

Track Listing:​
1. Dead Hand (feat. Jody Miller) – 5:43
2. A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe) – 5:49
3. Aphelion (feat. Michael Nystrom Bala) – 4:13
4. Whisper in a Storm (feat. Thalia Tymowski & Millisa Henderson) – 4:51
5. Whisper in a Storm (instrumental) – 4:51
EP Length: 24:42

More info: Manuelbarbara.com | Facebook.com/8stringalchemy | Instagram.com/8stringalchemy | Tiktok.com/@8stringalchemy​

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“the song (A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini)) blends metal heaviness and classical music concepts to create something intricate, unique, and highly technical.” – Decibel Magazine​
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​“Berklee trained and steeped in metal music, composing, and shredding, the EP (Whisper in the Storm) is going to unite die-hard metal fans and guitar geeks alike. The first single off this EP is “Dead Hand,” which features Jody Miller, a renowned violinist in the video game music scene.” – Ghost Cult Magazine​
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​“If a sophisticated and often elegant variety of mainly instrumental progressive metal is a subject matter of particular interest, and you are fond of such creations exploring the entire span from gentle and melodic all the way towards the extreme, then you will find this EP quite the rewarding experience I’d imagine.” – Progressor

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