Madeira Press, Articles, & Reviews

The Madeira - Tribal Fires - *****

The Madeira just keep producing exceptionally fine instrumental music... I love this album!

Track by Track Review

Tribal Fury *****

Heavy picking and dark tone with a fine melody and superb drums. "Tribal Fury" is a very powerful track, oozing danger and mystery. Lots of layered guitars with oriental imagery and serious liquid
flash.

Cities Of Gold *****

Lovely chords and melody lines with infectious driving rhythms paint a lush and romantic vision of "Cities Of Gold." This is a superbly written and executed song. Great arranging too.

Twilight ****

Living up to its title, "Twilight" employs a generally European style to illustrate the place between night and day. Orchestral and beautifully fluid, with long flowing guitar lines.

Fire Sacrifice *****

Dramatic drums and extra fine rhythm progressions in a layered soundscape of power and flow. It's the rhythm guitars that take "Fire Sacrifice" over the top. Not that there's any shortage of grand writing and melody, but the shear drama and energy of the rhythms drive this one hard. Wow!

The Expedition *****

Pulsing rhythms and sparkling guitar lines reminiscent of The Space Cossacks' "Solaris Stomp" really engaged me. It's substantially new and more fluid melodically, but "The Expedition" has that kind of
magnetism at times.

Witch Doctor *****

Thick and powerful, as The Madeira often are. "Witch Doctor" sounds dangerous and dramatic, and features pure liquid glissandos. This is a very strong track!

Jungle Drums ****

Rising slowly through the tropical foliage is the island lushness of "Jungle Drums." Tribal, almost Polynesian at times, and very pleasant.

Arcadian Voyage *****

Superb muted surf rhythms and whammy chords, with an adventurous melody and infectious energy. "Arcadian Voyage" is a magical number with splendid arranging and writing. Powerful and magnificent!

Mar Vista ****

Spanish guitar suggests a Baja village, as do the drums and percussion. "Mar Vista" is pretty, exotic, and very nicely played!

Giant ****

Big and intense, with long echoed guitar a la rautalanka. Powerful rhythms and a thick layered sound. Very well crafted.

Pre-Ritual *****

Beautiful muted rhythms in a spooky ambiance, with baritone lead notes darkly painting the dungeon walls. "Pre-Ritual" is brooding and ominous, but also liquid cool.

The Ritual *****

Well now, tremolo throbbed guitar, layered soundscapes, dungeonous-dark double picked guitar, and soaring drama. The whammy chords that transition to the break are followed by superb reverb chop chord magic. Amazing!

Zanzibar ****

Island whammy and chords, misty lagoon imagery, and shimmering tremolo lead. "Zanzibar" is a lovely track that is soothing and engaging. A very nice way to round out the album.