Belonger is an up-and-coming Power Metal band from Santos, Brazil that was founded back in 2006 by Mauro Duarte. Over the years the band went through some growth pains with a number of changes to their line-up with various members coming and going. However, in 2009 the band brought on shredder-Jonas D. Rocha who came on board as the band's lead guitarist. 7 years later, in 2016 percussionist-Thiago Batista was contacted by Mauro who promptly joined the band as their drummer & time keeper. With a full roster, and a passion for Metal music, this 3-piece trio got to work on material for a first recording. In July of 2019, thirteen years after their conception, Belonger released an independent 3-track EP titled 'Crash and Burn'. The track-list for the EP includes 1.Crash and Burn 2.Two Halves 3.Daybreak.
Not long after the release of their EP, during the Covid-19 time period, Thiago decided to leave the band, so Mauro recruited an old friend, drummer-Carlos Fleury to fill the position behind the kit.
When it comes to the band's moniker and the meaning behind it, Jonas D. Rocha had the following to say: "Mauro was looking for a name that would be memorable for the band he had just founded. While analyzing options, he came across a newspaper that was circulated internally in his congregation. One of the articles had a reflection whose title was: “Are we BELIEVERS or BELONGERS?” This reflective question “exploded the mind” of our founder and this was seen as a sign, with incredible phonetic power, because, more important than simply believing that there is a God over us all, is belonging to His Kingdom."
Not long after the release of their EP, during the Covid-19 time period, Thiago decided to leave the band, so Mauro recruited an old friend, drummer-Carlos Fleury to fill the position behind the kit.
When it comes to the band's moniker and the meaning behind it, Jonas D. Rocha had the following to say: "Mauro was looking for a name that would be memorable for the band he had just founded. While analyzing options, he came across a newspaper that was circulated internally in his congregation. One of the articles had a reflection whose title was: “Are we BELIEVERS or BELONGERS?” This reflective question “exploded the mind” of our founder and this was seen as a sign, with incredible phonetic power, because, more important than simply believing that there is a God over us all, is belonging to His Kingdom."
In 2023 Belonger released their debut full-length studio self-titled album on an indie label. With this release we find this Brazilian trio creating solid melodic arrangements & song structure that is sure to capture the attention of the Metal realm. The band delivers up all the right hooks that are guaranteed to have Metal fans hungry for more. Additionally, Belonger expresses their creative side by incorporating various genres including Power Metal, Hard Rock, Metal, and Speed Metal. The band further keeps things interesting by adding plenty of time changes, guitar solos, and pitch changes by lead vocalist-Mauro Duarte taking this project to the next level. The album's cover art shows creativity with the idea being taken from the book of John chapter 10:1-11. The roster for this debut offering is comprised of lead vocalist/bassist-Mauro Duarte, lead guitarist-Jonas D. Rocha, and Carlos Fleury on skins.
Some tracks that stand out on this debut album includes track-2 "Crash and Burn", track-3 "Leader of Men", track-4 "The Bridge", track-5 "Deserts", track-6 "Two Halves", track-7 "Faith Reborn", track-8 "Pacem", track-9 "Daybreak", track-11 "The Best Will Come", track-12 "Belonger".
The full track-list for this 2023 release includes 1.The Mission (Intro) 2.Crash and Burn 3.Leader of Men 4.The Bridge 5.Deserts 6.Two Halves 7.Faith Reborn 8.Pacem 9.Daybreak 10.And Everything Will Be New 11.The Best Will Come 12.Belonger.
Some tracks that stand out on this debut album includes track-2 "Crash and Burn", track-3 "Leader of Men", track-4 "The Bridge", track-5 "Deserts", track-6 "Two Halves", track-7 "Faith Reborn", track-8 "Pacem", track-9 "Daybreak", track-11 "The Best Will Come", track-12 "Belonger".
The full track-list for this 2023 release includes 1.The Mission (Intro) 2.Crash and Burn 3.Leader of Men 4.The Bridge 5.Deserts 6.Two Halves 7.Faith Reborn 8.Pacem 9.Daybreak 10.And Everything Will Be New 11.The Best Will Come 12.Belonger.
Frontman-Mauro Duarte's performance here really helps make this debut a successful project. Mauro does a great job of mixing things up from beginning to end as he reaches for lower gritty vocals or energetic higher vocals. Not only can Mauro sing, but we find that he plays some killer bass lines throughout this release. Mauro's bass play rises to the surface at times which only makes this listener's happy.
While listening to this project, it quickly becomes evident that lead guitarist-Jonas D. Rocha is no newcomer on the scene. When asked about his beginnings as a guitarist, Jonas had the following to say: "Over the years, I learned to play the first chords on the guitar by myself, with the help of magazines, but I took a year of music lessons with content focused on music theory. Over the years, doing exercises and challenging myself in compositions, I was able to evolve my technique."
Jonas is a well-seasoned guitarist and on this 2023 project, he shows his prowess from track to track moving in and out from Power Metal to driving 80's style Rock and rounds things out with some tasty guitar solos. In addition, there are a few moments where Jonas hits the gas and takes the listener into near Speed Metal territory.
Drummer-Carlos Fleury keeps time for the band and gives the skins a good poundin'! Carlos builds energy and interest within the arrangements with plenty of time changes & double bass pedal action.
Jonas is a well-seasoned guitarist and on this 2023 project, he shows his prowess from track to track moving in and out from Power Metal to driving 80's style Rock and rounds things out with some tasty guitar solos. In addition, there are a few moments where Jonas hits the gas and takes the listener into near Speed Metal territory.
Drummer-Carlos Fleury keeps time for the band and gives the skins a good poundin'! Carlos builds energy and interest within the arrangements with plenty of time changes & double bass pedal action.
Lyrics are poetic and Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Crash and Burn"
The prophet discovered all things and signs
The facts disclosed, look at the sky
Not only bread, not only
The man will live, alright
But in the word we have life
I watch the news one more time
Seven angels, seven churches, seven bowls of God's wrath
Seven angels, seven churches, seven bowls of God's wrath
All the evil spreaded in the air
Will be crashed, will be burned
Will be crashed, will be burned
Ready to crash and burn
"Leader of Men"
Jesus – Your blood runs in our veins
Jesus - You're almighty, leader of men
Jesus – Your blood runs in our veins
Jesus - You're almighty, leader of men
BC-AD, no matter the year
Leader of men it has also been here
Way since eternity
BC-AD, no matter the year
Leader of men it has also been here
Way since eternity
"The Bridge"
I was living to find my way
Then I saw a bridge
Which crosses the death
The bridge that carries
To eternal land
"Faith Reborn"
I see the way, I see the door
No stones, no thorns, just what I need in the cold
My faith reborn, strength to endure
My faith reborn, strength to endure
Renewing, believing, receiving
Here I stand
"Pacem"
Why missiles fly?
You'll never die
Just take shelter in the lamb
For You protection follow the cross
The deceiver, the peace, the choice
WHEN PEACE COMES TO EARTH
THIS WILL BE THE END
When peace comes to Earth
This will be the end
"Belonger"
Jesus Christ told the people
To stay in the word
Belonging to the truth
The truth will free
Wonders and miracles
The evil is defeated
The truth will free
Wonders and miracles
The evil is defeated
The prophet discovered all things and signs
The facts disclosed, look at the sky
Not only bread, not only
The man will live, alright
But in the word we have life
I watch the news one more time
Seven angels, seven churches, seven bowls of God's wrath
Seven angels, seven churches, seven bowls of God's wrath
All the evil spreaded in the air
Will be crashed, will be burned
Will be crashed, will be burned
Ready to crash and burn
"Leader of Men"
Jesus – Your blood runs in our veins
Jesus - You're almighty, leader of men
Jesus – Your blood runs in our veins
Jesus - You're almighty, leader of men
BC-AD, no matter the year
Leader of men it has also been here
Way since eternity
BC-AD, no matter the year
Leader of men it has also been here
Way since eternity
"The Bridge"
I was living to find my way
Then I saw a bridge
Which crosses the death
The bridge that carries
To eternal land
"Faith Reborn"
I see the way, I see the door
No stones, no thorns, just what I need in the cold
My faith reborn, strength to endure
My faith reborn, strength to endure
Renewing, believing, receiving
Here I stand
"Pacem"
Why missiles fly?
You'll never die
Just take shelter in the lamb
For You protection follow the cross
The deceiver, the peace, the choice
WHEN PEACE COMES TO EARTH
THIS WILL BE THE END
When peace comes to Earth
This will be the end
"Belonger"
Jesus Christ told the people
To stay in the word
Belonging to the truth
The truth will free
Wonders and miracles
The evil is defeated
The truth will free
Wonders and miracles
The evil is defeated
Belonger is recommended for fans of OneMustFall and Within Silence. One thing this reviewer noticed while listening to this project is that the louder you turn it up the better it sounds. So "crank it up to 11" and let's give those ole speakers a good dusting off! 'Belonger' is a solid first offering by the band. Hopefully this won't be the last we hear from them because this album has left this listener hungry for more!
Also, don't forget to check out the interview I had with the band.
Also, don't forget to check out the interview I had with the band.
Musicians:
Mauro Duarte - Lead Vocals, Bass
Jonas D. Rocha - Lead Guitars
Carlos Fleury - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Thiago Batista - Drums
Mauro Duarte - Lead Vocals, Bass
Jonas D. Rocha - Lead Guitars
Carlos Fleury - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Thiago Batista - Drums