The Element

Second album from this Brazilian/American progressive metal band. The Element was assembled by Brazilian transplant Rafael Macedo who handles all the lead vocals and guitars. He's enlisted Circle II Circle bassist Mitch Stewart, former Imagika drummer Henry Moreno, as well as keyboardist Jeremy Villucci. The band's music bears the imprint of the obvious prog metal influence of Dream Theater but there is definitely an epic Pink Floyd quality to their music. Sort of like Images & Words meets The Wall. Macedo's vocals are excellent and he's quite an accomplished guitarist as well. Nice and tasteful soloing through out without turning into a nonstop shredfest - an album that seems to put melody at the forefront but with a solid foundation in musicianship. This arrives beautifully packaged in a DVD sized fold out digipak. I think this is a band we are going to hear a lot about. Highly recommended. - By Kevin Golden – Laser’s Edge

I love american metal, the real metal, with killer riffs, enchanting melodies and hooks that move you plus powerful driving beats. And guess what, even though this is labelled progressive metal and shows certain elements of this overblown genre, what you get here is killer power metal stuff with excellent heavy guitar work, catchy, yet extraordinary melodies and a charismatic crooner who can easily keep up with the greatest chanteurs from the US power metal scene. This band certainly plays and shows a level of virtuosity that is hardly reached by many bands. But these cats put their technical skills into the service of the composition itself and write songs that easily stand the test of time and the test of metal for this is pure and elegant power metal. It reminds me of many bands from the early US progressive metal scene in the 90s when creativity was still the hottest shit and cloning the most stereotypical and boring moments of DREAM THEATER was just a nightmare that not even the most die hard insider fans of the scene could ever have. And voilà, here we got a band that brings back, not only memories of better times but the real sense of inspiration and creativity while retaining the feeling of pure power metal. I am floored to hear such melodies that slowly unfold their entire unearthly beauty. Forget about the lame true metal shite and all those wanna be bands with their denim jackets with tons of patches who do not even know to write a single memorable riff. You don`t need that crap anymore to live the real metal spirit, go for THE ELEMENT and get metalized. Overwhelming indeed.

Sir Lord Doom
- Hellion Records - By Sir Lord Doom

California-based progressive metallers THE ELEMENT have announced that the release date of their new album, entitled From Sand - Part I, will be January 11th, 2012. The physical CD will be distributed by CD Baby, Amazon, and Super D; and will be available in all the major digital stores.

The band will release From Sand - Part I in an 8-Panel DVD Digipack format.

A music video of the track ‘She's Made From Sand’ is also in production, and will be released in the coming months.
The new album was produced by Rafael Macedo was mixed and mastered by legendary producer Beau Hill (ALICE COOPER, RATT, WARRANT, BOB DYLAN, ERIC CLAPTON, GARY MOORE).

The Artwork was created by Marcelo Macedo who previously created the band’s logo and the visual Concept. Designer Debora Finkler was in charge of the final Layout.

Macedo commented: "The big moment is finally here! We could not express how happy we are to release this album. It has been an amazing experience to record, produce and work on this album with my friends and amazing musicians, Mitch, Jeremy and Henry. A BIG thanks to all of our fans for the support and we really hope you enjoy the ride with us! "

Keyboardist/co-songwriter Jeremy Villucci commented: "Wow. We're finally releasing this album. It's been an amazing experience to work with this band. I've grown so much as a musician since I joined and I couldn't ask for a more amazing album and a more amazing band to work with. January is going to be an amazing month, guys... Wait and see."

From Sand Part I tracklisting:

'Please Sit Down...'
'Narrowing Part I'
'Lady In The Seashore'
'She's Made From Sand'
'Shine Shy Shine'
'Hope Departed'
'Promises (At Least One Sunny Day)'
'The Curtains Of My Eyes' - Bravewords

Prog metal guitarist Rafael Macedo of The Element is ripping his way through Brazil in a series of guitar workshops.

Watch the video below for a performance of instrumental tune “Ante Bellum,” which Macedo wrote on his sweet Jackson SLAT3 7-string. - Jackson Guitars and Basses

California-based progressive metallers THE ELEMENT have finished work on their new album, From Sand Part I.

The album is considered by the band to be its best work to date and the second part to the story (already written) will be released within the next year to year and a half.

From Sand Part I contains eight tracks.

Vocalist/guitarist/composer Rafael Macedo spearheaded the production of the album, which was mixed and mastered by legendary producer Beau Hill (ALICE COOPER, RATT, WINGER).

The worldwide release date for 2011 and info about the label/distro will be announced very soon. The band is taking its time in order to make sure that they've made the right decisions for the well-being of the band.

The album's story will be told through the music. But, listeners can also read the complete story in the booklet provided with the physical copy of the album, as well as the digital booklet for those who download through web-stores like iTunes, Amazon, and all the main digital stores around the world. Listeners can also find hints about the story through other mediums such as Facebook, ReverbNation, MySpace... etc, which will be combined with promotions to value the most loyal fans.

In the meantime, the band is promoting the upcoming release doing workshops, as well as FM and Internet radio interviews.

Rafael Macedo is also doing a series of guitar clinics in Brazil. The focus of the workshops will be: promote the new album, talking about his guitar work, and also talk about all the music instrument companies which he endorses, such as EVH Gear, Jackson, Morley Pedals, InTune Picks, S.I.T Strings, Gator Cases, Liszko Straps... - Bravewords - The Element

California-based progressive metallers THE ELEMENT have finished work on their new album, From Sand Part I.

The album is considered by the band to be its best work to date and the second part to the story (already written) will be released within the next year to year and a half.

From Sand Part I contains eight tracks.

Vocalist/guitarist/composer Rafael Macedo spearheaded the production of the album, which was mixed and mastered by legendary producer Beau Hill (ALICE COOPER, RATT, WINGER).

The worldwide release date for 2011 and info about the label/distro will be announced very soon. The band is taking its time in order to make sure that they've made the right decisions for the well-being of the band.

The album's story will be told through the music. But, listeners can also read the complete story in the booklet provided with the physical copy of the album, as well as the digital booklet for those who download through web-stores like iTunes, Amazon, and all the main digital stores around the world. Listeners can also find hints about the story through other mediums such as Facebook, ReverbNation, MySpace... etc, which will be combined with promotions to value the most loyal fans.

In the meantime, the band is promoting the upcoming release doing workshops, as well as FM and Internet radio interviews.

Rafael Macedo is also doing a series of guitar clinics in Brazil. The focus of the workshops will be: promote the new album, talking about his guitar work, and also talk about all the music instrument companies which he endorses, such as EVH Gear, Jackson, Morley Pedals, InTune Picks, S.I.T Strings, Gator Cases, Liszko Straps... - Bravewords - The Element

Pag 4

Reviews

Promo: CLIMBING UP THE STAIRS OF MIND
Rock Brigade - Year 22 - #200 - 03/2003 - Brazil (www.rockbrigade.com.br)
By Antonio Carlos Monteiro (tony@rockbrgade.com.br)
“...This is a ProgMetal band from Porto Alegre and besides other exploits, The Element
was the opening band for Blind Guardian at Opiniao Bar. After that, I think I don’t
need to say that the greatest merit of the band is the fact that all the musicians are
excellent playing their instruments. The Element will fly high...”

Brazil Metal Law (www.brasilmetal.com)
By Vanessa H. G. Sato (vanessa@brasilmetal.com)
Demo Review - “...This awesome band from Porto Alegre (RS), formed in 1998, opens the
demo Climbing Up The Stairs Of Mind in a great and jealously style with Extracting The
Essence of Men and tends to improve a lot our Prog Scene (i was not by chance that the
band opened Blind Guardian’s performance in 2002). Second song, City Of Angels, has
great guitars and keyboards solos; Pentatonic Rain remembers another Brazilian band
called Angra; the sequences One Way Street: Part I - Intensify It Self and One Way
Street: Part II - Relieving show us a strong presence of bass and drums; Thoughts is an
excellent song, pointing the guitars out...in despite we notice some Dream Theater and
Symphony X roots, the band has its own personality and creativity. Final Rating: 10”

Pag 5

Reviews

Show: BLIND GUARDIAN - A NIGHT AT THE OPERA TOUR
08/15/2002 - Opening Act
Whiplash (www.whiplash.com.br)
Performance Review posted by readers:
“...The evening started with the surprising band THE ELEMENT. The guys kicked a**. It’s
not every band that can play Metropolis Part I (from Dream Theater). The crowd went
insane and the vocalist is f****** good!”
“...The Bassist and Guitarist/Vocalist are pretty good...”
“...We were saluted by the great band The Element...”

Show: GRAVE DIGGER - RHEINGOLD BRAZILIAN TOUR 2003
10/03/2003 - Opening Act
Heavy RS (www.heavy rs.cjb.net)
Performance Review by Ronan Danneberg (heavyrs@hotmail.com)
“...In charge of the Opening Act for Grave Digger performance The Element went back to
Bar Opiniao where they played with Blind Guardian in 2002, when the band received great
critical acclaim. The clasic Prog-Metal with nice melodies and excellent vocals...all
there. After the Intro, the band played the sequences One Way Street Part I and II.
Then they went ahead with Pentatonic Rain and ended with City of Angels and Thoughts
pointing Rafael Macedo’s vocals out...”
- Multiple

Pag 4

Reviews

Promo: CLIMBING UP THE STAIRS OF MIND
Rock Brigade - Year 22 - #200 - 03/2003 - Brazil (www.rockbrigade.com.br)
By Antonio Carlos Monteiro (tony@rockbrgade.com.br)
“...This is a ProgMetal band from Porto Alegre and besides other exploits, The Element
was the opening band for Blind Guardian at Opiniao Bar. After that, I think I don’t
need to say that the greatest merit of the band is the fact that all the musicians are
excellent playing their instruments. The Element will fly high...”

Brazil Metal Law (www.brasilmetal.com)
By Vanessa H. G. Sato (vanessa@brasilmetal.com)
Demo Review - “...This awesome band from Porto Alegre (RS), formed in 1998, opens the
demo Climbing Up The Stairs Of Mind in a great and jealously style with Extracting The
Essence of Men and tends to improve a lot our Prog Scene (i was not by chance that the
band opened Blind Guardian’s performance in 2002). Second song, City Of Angels, has
great guitars and keyboards solos; Pentatonic Rain remembers another Brazilian band
called Angra; the sequences One Way Street: Part I - Intensify It Self and One Way
Street: Part II - Relieving show us a strong presence of bass and drums; Thoughts is an
excellent song, pointing the guitars out...in despite we notice some Dream Theater and
Symphony X roots, the band has its own personality and creativity. Final Rating: 10”

Pag 5

Reviews

Show: BLIND GUARDIAN - A NIGHT AT THE OPERA TOUR
08/15/2002 - Opening Act
Whiplash (www.whiplash.com.br)
Performance Review posted by readers:
“...The evening started with the surprising band THE ELEMENT. The guys kicked a**. It’s
not every band that can play Metropolis Part I (from Dream Theater). The crowd went
insane and the vocalist is f****** good!”
“...The Bassist and Guitarist/Vocalist are pretty good...”
“...We were saluted by the great band The Element...”

Show: GRAVE DIGGER - RHEINGOLD BRAZILIAN TOUR 2003
10/03/2003 - Opening Act
Heavy RS (www.heavy rs.cjb.net)
Performance Review by Ronan Danneberg (heavyrs@hotmail.com)
“...In charge of the Opening Act for Grave Digger performance The Element went back to
Bar Opiniao where they played with Blind Guardian in 2002, when the band received great
critical acclaim. The clasic Prog-Metal with nice melodies and excellent vocals...all
there. After the Intro, the band played the sequences One Way Street Part I and II.
Then they went ahead with Pentatonic Rain and ended with City of Angels and Thoughts
pointing Rafael Macedo’s vocals out...”
- Multiple

"This is probably in my experience in the metal world the best kept secret that has not been signed to a label. Rafa and Co. have a masterpiece that any true fan of metal needs to get their hands on. Being very heavy on the instrumentation in accordance to the progressive nature of metal for the listener to enjoy and share to the world. “Climbing Up The Stairs”, “City Of Angels”, “Pentatonic Rain”, “One Way Part I”, “One Way Part II”, “Thoughts”, “Breaking Chains”, “Same What”, “The Truth In The Eyes”, “Winds Of Autumn”, “Seventh Day”, “Utopia Part I”, and “Utopia Part II”, will send you on a journey that reminds me of some of the guitar masters that I grew up with. (Toney Malcalpine and Vinnie Moore, just to name a couple) Being majestic as well as dramatic in nature this first effort from The Element will enthrall all listeners and I do believe becomes a fan instantly. (Just Like I did my first listen)

As an extra bonus there are two covers as well that are very hard to find but I got them when I received theses recording. “Kashmir” the Led Zeppelin classic and in my opinion the best version I have ever heard as a cover for a song. “Flight of Icarus” The Iron Maiden Classic that will go great with any fans collection of covers. - BrainsCab Reviews

"This is probably in my experience in the metal world the best kept secret that has not been signed to a label. Rafa and Co. have a masterpiece that any true fan of metal needs to get their hands on. Being very heavy on the instrumentation in accordance to the progressive nature of metal for the listener to enjoy and share to the world. “Climbing Up The Stairs”, “City Of Angels”, “Pentatonic Rain”, “One Way Part I”, “One Way Part II”, “Thoughts”, “Breaking Chains”, “Same What”, “The Truth In The Eyes”, “Winds Of Autumn”, “Seventh Day”, “Utopia Part I”, and “Utopia Part II”, will send you on a journey that reminds me of some of the guitar masters that I grew up with. (Toney Malcalpine and Vinnie Moore, just to name a couple) Being majestic as well as dramatic in nature this first effort from The Element will enthrall all listeners and I do believe becomes a fan instantly. (Just Like I did my first listen)

As an extra bonus there are two covers as well that are very hard to find but I got them when I received theses recording. “Kashmir” the Led Zeppelin classic and in my opinion the best version I have ever heard as a cover for a song. “Flight of Icarus” The Iron Maiden Classic that will go great with any fans collection of covers. - BrainsCab Reviews

Hey guys check it out!

The Element will be at NAMM Show next week in LA to promote the companies we're endorsed by and to promote our new Upcoming album! Please stop by to say hello!


The Element's Endorsed by EVH ( Eddie Van Halen) Gear, Jackson Guitars and Basses, Morley Pedal,Spaun Drums, SIT Strings and InTune Picks for support!

See you guys there! ..m/..m/


Sincerely,

Rafael Macedo

Mitch Stewart

Jeremy Villucci

Henry Moreno - The Element Blog

Hey guys check it out!

The Element will be at NAMM Show next week in LA to promote the companies we're endorsed by and to promote our new Upcoming album! Please stop by to say hello!


The Element's Endorsed by EVH ( Eddie Van Halen) Gear, Jackson Guitars and Basses, Morley Pedal,Spaun Drums, SIT Strings and InTune Picks for support!

See you guys there! ..m/..m/


Sincerely,

Rafael Macedo

Mitch Stewart

Jeremy Villucci

Henry Moreno - The Element Blog

Concord, California-based progressive metallers THE ELEMENT, who feature in their ranks bassist Mitch Stewart (CIRCLE II CIRCLE) and drummer Henry Moreno (IMAGIKA, TAUNTED), have tapped legendary producer Beau Hill (RATT, WARRANT, WINGER, ALICE COOPER, BOB DYLAN, ERIC CLAPTON, GARY MOORE, EUROPE) to mixing/master their upcoming, as yet-untitled album.

Commented the group: "Beau Hill showed interest in working with the band a couple months ago after hearing the pre-production of the upcoming album. We were ecstatic, considering what an honor it would be to work with such an amazing producer like Beau."

Stated Beau Hill: "THE ELEMENT caught my attention with their excellent material, an unusual focus on arrangement details, and progressive-melodic hooks...sounds like the recipe for a hit to me..."

The first three songs for the upcoming CD were finished in August and the new single, "She's Made From Sand", is now available for streaming on THE ELEMENT's MySpace page.

Added THE ELEMENT: "The band has been working on this project for some time and the chemistry between Rafael Macedo [vocals, guitar], Mitch Stewart, Jeremy Villucci [keyboards], and Henry Moreno has given way to some amazing material and it is definitely our best work to date."
- Blabbermout