Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará Releases Blade Runner Themed Metal EP “Whisper in a Storm”

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 12, 2024

Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará Releases Blade Runner Themed Metal EP “Whisper in a Storm”

New EP “Whisper in a Storm” Out Sept 13th, 2024

Metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is proud to announce the release of his new EP “Whisper in a Storm”. The EP combines the aggression and technical mastery of heavy metal with the formal and harmonic concepts learned from the great composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Barbará shares what listeners can expect:

“‘Whisper in a Storm’ had a very “cyberspace and neon” sort of feel to it, which helped steer our decision to make it about Blade Runner. It’s mainly djent and prog, but I’m finding small touches of death metal creeping into my ideas the longer I play in Necro. It features four very distinct songs, each featuring one of my favorite musicians, that all live in the same sonic world. I hope the listeners like it as much as I do.”

The EP boasts an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including violinist Jody Miller, guitarist Jake Howsam Lowe of Plini and The Helix Nebula, Michael Nystrom Bala of Necronomicon Ex Mortis, vocalist Thalia Tymowski of Among the Stars, and guitarist Millisa Henderson. These collaborations add depth and variety to Barbará‘s already rich sonic palette.

Barbará’s compositions aim to unify the spheres of metal and classical music, creating carefully constructed pieces full of ambiance and color. This EP is designed to be a strange, adventurous, expertly crafted punch to the face with just enough spacey ambiance to make it punch even harder and just enough big synths to make it feel like you might be stabbed with a katana under a neon sign. It is recommended for fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, and Keith Merrow.

Listen to the full stream premiere of “Whisper in a Storm” via TheProgSpace HERE.

Due out September 13, 2024, “Whisper in a Storm” is available for digital pre-save at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/manuelbarbar/whisper-in-a-storm​

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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“Berklee trained and steeped in metal music, composing, and shredding, the EP (Whisper in a Storm) is going to unite die-hard metal fans and guitar geeks alike.” – Ghost Cult Magazine

“With its rhythmic elements and heavy riffs, Manuel Barbará’s debut album is in the purity of modern instrumental progressive metal. But his influences from classical composers add an interesting extra touch.”- Music Waves (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“a spectacular showcase of the progressive qualities of Manuel Barbará.” – Games, Brains and A Headbanging Life (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“This is an astounding first record. Especially for a single composer. If you are a fan of atmospheric instrumental metal, give it a shot. I give the album a solid 8/10. Manuel is already looking forward to the future with new compositions which are even more refined and elaborate. I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation.” – Belgian Metal Shredder (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“I really enjoyed my time with this album. I’m a big fan of djenty riffs, dissonant tones and atmosphere which this album provided aplenty. The record shows that Manuel is a master craftsman in composition. The album clocks in at about 35 minutes. In this case that’s a plus. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and makes the tracks stand out more. The album is instrumental, which could be a turnoff for some people. But to me it benefits from it. It’s more of a listening album than an all-out headbang/rocking out record.” – Belgian Metal Shredder (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“without a doubt that we have a talented musician and composer in front of us. The approach is in large parts of the material progressive metal with the corresponding hardness and complexity… You can’t deny the band’s instrumental quality…” – Metal-Heads.de (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Manuel Barbará shines bright on Moonrise… this is a fascinating listen and it is easy to appreciate Manuel’s complex musical narrative… this deserves a listen as it does embody the prog metal ideal and as such, it’s a damn good album: think Tesseract or Periphery.” – RAMzine (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Barbará has rejuvenated the instrumental metal genre, boldly handling what is often perceived as a deficit of vocals and composing with refinement and a brilliantly malicious sense of melody and groove.” – Jace Media (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“It’s unbelievable that Moonrise is the debut of a musical high-flyer. Manuel Barbará releases an unbelievably mature masterpiece, which not only pays homage to its role models Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, or Periphery, but also presents crisp, progressive Djent Metal at eye level, which despite its perfection and precision still offers room for improvement. My recommendation with 8.5 / 10” – Soundmagnet (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Inviting the listener in with some mystical soundscapes, the tempo and mood change immediately when the trio start firing on all cylinders with a dent-driven, pushing rhythmic sound alongside Manuel’s epic and virtuosic guitar work. The overall sound is dark and mighty, but every now and then gets brightened by some gleaming tones. The use of electronic sounds add a modern vibe as well and he skillfully alternates between full-power, highly technical, and calmer, atmospheric parts, before taking us to the gigantic ending riff.” – Tuonela Magazine (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

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