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Category: Manuel Barbara

0 Prog Guitarist Manuel Barbará Ties Together Powerful Vocal And Instrumentals In “Whisper In A Storm” Off Blade Runner-Themed Metal EP Out Now!

  • November 2, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 2, 2024

Prog Guitarist Manuel Barbará Ties Together Powerful Vocal And Instrumentals In “Whisper In A Storm”

Blade Runner-themed metal EP Out Now!

Manuel Barbará, an acclaimed metal guitarist and composer, is pleased to announce the release of his new video for the single “Whisper in a Storm”. The track, featuring Thalia Tymowski of Among the Stars and guitarist Millisa Henderson, is the title track from Barbará’s latest EP, released on September 13, 2024. He comments on the collaboration:

“I’ve wanted to have Thalia Tymowski sing a song of mine ever since I met her in 2020. I’m super happy to be able to feature her on something as cool as this. It was very satisfying to pour my fascination with Cyberpunk into a song with Thalia’s help and Millisa’s guest solo at the end made me nervous to record mine.”

Barbará continues to explain that “Whisper in a Storm” is the most “traditional” of the four songs with a typical verse-chorus structure. It still features odd expanding and contracting rhythms and huge stacks of guitars with Tymowski’s powerful voice tying the whole thing together. The final bridge gives way to two melodic guitar solos and a final, crushing riff.

Inspired by the Cyberpunk genre and specifically the film “Blade Runner”, the single showcases Barbará‘s ability to weave complex narratives through instrumental music. His fascination with Cyberpunk as a genre grew out of a few authors in the 80s reinventing the noir genre to talk about the political, social, economic, and scientific shifts that were happening at the time.

The collaboration with Tymowski on vocals adds a new dimension to Barbará‘s typically instrumental approach and is recommended for fans of Keith Merrow, Monuments, and Meshuggah.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Whisper in a Storm” via its premiere on V13 HERE.

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

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​

-30-

“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​
​
​“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​
​
​“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​
​
​“When I came across New Jersey based guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará and his solo debut album “Moonrise” in 2021, I saw myself blown away by his modern instrumental style, combining mighty heaviness with dreamful electronic sounds. Finding inspiration in a wide range of classical, neoclassical as well as contemporary artists and bands, his new EP, “Whisper in a Storm”, lines up here as well, offering epic shredding within a spacey atmosphere fitting to the Blade Runner theme. While the playing is highly sophisticated and not an easy listen due to its dissonance and complexity, there’s still this djenty grooviness that keeps me vibing with it. Recommended ffo modern Progmetal in the veins of Tesseract, Periphery and Meshuggah.” – The ProgSpace ​
​
​“It is no surprise that a composer and big-time guitar player as Manuel Barbará took care of everything on “Whisper in a Storm”: all songs were written and (almost) performed only by Manuel Barbará, and produced and promoted all by himself. The result of Barbará’s musical expertise resonates throughout all the sequences of this musical journey on “Whisper in a Storm”, full of guitar solos and complex string instrument arrangements and impressive drum tempo and captivating Djent riffs. But the cleverness of “Whisper in a Storm” is on the other side of the coin. Even though “Whisper in a Storm” is grounded by lavishing on melodies which are composed in the high level of mastery of Barbará, the fact is that “Whispers in Storm” brings to us five palatable songs. I guess that Manuel Barbará’s main goal was not only to mesmerize guitar-students-amazed-by-complex-solos-lovers on “Whisper in a Storm”, but also to relate with people who love just to listen to good songs. The Progressive harmonies on “Whisper in a Storm” seem to stroll by guitar riffs, with synchronized tempo that resembles experimental Metal bands like Tesseract and Devin Townsend, and shredders players as Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. 10/10” – Ever-Metal​
​
​“Prog metal, with a pinch of metal/deathcore musically” – Moshpit Radio 89.9FM WORT (Madison, WI)

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

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

  • September 23, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

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

​

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​

-30-

“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​
​
​“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​
​
​“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

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

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

  • September 12, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

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​

-30-

“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)

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Manuel Barbará Releases New Haunting, Cyberpunk Single “A Different Horizon” ft. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula)

  • August 29, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 29, 2024

Manuel Barbará Releases New Haunting, Cyberpunk Single “A Different Horizon” ft. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula)

New EP “Whisper in a Storm” Out Sept 2024

Metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is thrilled to announce the release of his new single “A Different Horizon”. The track, featuring Jake Howsam Lowe of Plini and The Helix Nebula, is part of Barbará’s upcoming cyberpunk-infused EP “Whisper in a Storm”, which is set to release on September 13, 2024. He shares his thoughts on the single:

“‘A Different Horizon’ kicks off with an off-kilter riff in 3s that sets the tone for the rest of the song. There’s always something making you anticipate the next section. Jake’s brilliant solo is bookended by a massive melodic riff and the whole piece ends with a section that the bass player in Necronomicon ex Mortis described as “what in the Dark Souls haunted cathedral is this?”

The single continues to showcase Barbará’s unique blend of heavy metal aggression and the formal, harmonic concepts of 19th and 20th-century classical music. With precise and disciplined guitar playing, the single draws listeners into a new musical world, full of ambiance and color.

For Barbará, the writing process involves a lot of bouncing back and forth between notation software, his DAW, and even pen and paper. This attention to detail shines through in the final product, offering listeners a rich and immersive musical experience. The single is recommended for fans of Tesseract, Periphery, and Meshuggah.

Watch and listen to the video for “A Different Horizon” ft. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula) via its premiere on Decibel Magazine 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​

Previous 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​

-30-

“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)

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Manuel Barbará Announces New CyberPunk EP “Whisper in a Storm” Out Sept 2024 and Debut Single “Dead Hand”

  • July 24, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 24, 2024

Manuel Barbará Announces New CyberPunk EP “Whisper in a Storm” and Debut Single “Dead Hand”

East Coast metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is excited to announce his upcoming EP “Whisper in a Storm” set to release on September 13, 2024. The EP blends 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. The first single off this EP is “Dead Hand”, which features Jody Miller, a renowned violinist in the video game music scene. Barbará comments on the single:

“The first song that came together for this project, Dead Hand is 6 minutes of unapologetic Monuments worship featuring an incredible violin solo and some creepy textures that I couldn’t have done better myself (I told Jody to play weird stuff, and boy did it work out)”

Musically, “Dead Hand” features a big heavy riff that keeps returning with slightly different feels and that Barbará says gives him an image of a big snake that you definitely don’t want to get in the way of. That riff gives way to all kinds of spacey ambiance and twisty strangeness, ending with a riff that he explains is one of the heaviest and weirdest things he’s ever written, and the scary violin textures tie the whole experience together.

As a Berklee College of Music graduate (2020, Guitar and Composition), Barbará brings his love of modern “classical” music to the progressive rock that has always inspired him. All songs are written and performed by Manuel Barbará and self-published with distribution via Distrokid. The EP promises a heavy, slamming journey to four distinct musical places, showcasing some of Barbará’s best work to date. It is recommended for fans of Monuments, Tesseract, and Periphery.

Listen to the video for “Dead Hand” via its premiere on GhostCultMag 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​

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 | Youtube.com/@8stringalchemy | Tiktok.com/@8stringalchemy​

-30-

“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)

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 EPK – Manuel Barbara – Whisper in a Storm (2024)

  • July 3, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Manuel Barbara · Uncategorized

EPK – Manuel Barbara – Whisper in a Storm (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“I believe that these four tracks are hands-down the best music I have made so far. I think people will really feel that this music has come into its own, and I am excited to move further in this direction in the future. I want this EP to be a heavy, slamming journey to four very distinct musical places, featuring some of my favorite musicians.” – Manuel Barbara

For fans of Monuments, Tesseract, Periphery, Meshuggah, Keith Merrow

Manuelbarbara.com | Facebook.com/8stringalchemy | Instagram.com/8stringalchemy  | Youtube.com/@8stringalchemy | Tiktok.com/@8stringalchemy

Linktr.ee/8stringalchemy | 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“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

“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

“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

“When I came across New Jersey based guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará and his solo debut album “Moonrise” in 2021, I saw myself blown away by his modern instrumental style, combining mighty heaviness with dreamful electronic sounds. Finding inspiration in a wide range of classical, neoclassical as well as contemporary artists and bands, his new EP, “Whisper in a Storm”, lines up here as well, offering epic shredding within a spacey atmosphere fitting to the Blade Runner theme. While the playing is highly sophisticated and not an easy listen due to its dissonance and complexity, there’s still this djenty grooviness that keeps me vibing with it. Recommended ffo modern Progmetal in the veins of Tesseract, Periphery and Meshuggah.” – The ProgSpace 

“Prog metal, with a pinch of metal/deathcore musically” – Moshpit Radio 89.9FM WORT (Madison, WI)

“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)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: Whisper in a Storm
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label: Self-Published
Distribution: Distrokid
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

EP Credits:
All songs written and performed by Manuel Barbará
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Manuel Barbará
EP artwork by Jason Grossman
===================================================

About The EP Artwork

Since Whisper in a Storm is about Blade Runner, I thought having some origami on the cover would be appropriate. I was considering just making it an origami unicorn, but I ended up settling on the eye.

About the EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

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.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Dead Hand was the first of the four songs to come together. Heavily inspired by Monuments, it mainly features a big heavy riff that keeps returning with slightly different feels and that gives me an image of a big snake that you definitely don’t want to get in the way of. That riff gives way to all kinds of spacey ambiance and twisty strangeness. The ending riff is one of the heaviest and weirdest things I’ve ever written, and Jody’s scary violin textures tie the whole experience together.

A Different Horizon kicks off with an off-kilter riff in 3s that sets the tone for the rest of the song. There’s always something making you anticipate the next section. Jake’s brilliant solo is bookended by a massive melodic riff and the whole piece ends with a section that the bass player in Necronomicon ex Mortis described as “what in the Dark Souls haunted cathedral is this?”

Aphelion –  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”. The big stompy intro with slightly alien harmony 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 myself and Mike, contrast one another very nicely.

Whisper in a Storm is the most “traditional” of the four songs with what is mostly a typical verse-chorus sort of structure. It still features odd expanding and contracting rhythms and huge stacks of guitars with Thalia’s powerful voice tying the whole thing together. The final bridge gives way to two melodic guitar solos and a final, crushing riff.

===================================================
STORY ANGLES – FUN FACTS

1. One of the sound effects in Whisper in a Storm is actually two kitchen knives scraping together.

2. I regularly find myself in the odd position of being metal teacher while being not abstract enough for classical teachers

3. I learned to play guitar on a 7-string. 6-strings feel like toys whenever I pick one up.

4. I feel like my music is a constant attempt to surprise myself with something. The trouble is, once I write it, it stops being surprising.

5. I played a show in Long Island a few months ago. It took 4 hours to get to the venue and I was 45 minutes late to my start time. My panic quickly disappeared when the other bands turned out to be an hour late to theirs.

Manuel Barbará is a metal guitarist and composer from the East Coast of the United States who combines the aggression and technical mastery of heavy metal with formal and harmonic concepts learned from the great composers of the 19th and 20th century. Trained at Berklee College of Music (2020, Guitar and Composition), Manuel brings his love of modern “classical” music and composition to bear on the progressive rock that has always inspired him. His compositions, whether for metal band or chamber ensemble, aim to unify these two disparate spheres of music.

His guitar playing is precise and disciplined and his compositions are carefully constructed pieces, full of ambiance and color. Talking about his music, Barbará says: “The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person”.

His debut album “Moonrise” was released in March 2021 and returns in 2024 with his follow-up EP “Whisper In The Storm” out on September 13th.

Discography:
2024 – Whisper In The Storm – EP
2022 – Clockwork Soul (single)
2021 – Moonrise – LP

Shared Stage:
Manuel Barbara also plays in bands:
– Necronomicon Ex Mortis
– Apocalyptic Sandwich of Doom (unreleased)

Opened for: Absurd Condition, Chris Cyanid, Jackpipe, Share the Burden, Feast Your Eyes, Sadha, The Shape it Takes, Eradicate, Krimson Mask, Hellswind

0 @metallian_magazine_official – #124 May – June 2021 Manuel Barbará @8stringalchemy http://metallian.online/produit/metallian-magazine-n124/ #metal #metalmag #metalmagazine #metalreviews #metalreview #albumreview #albumreviews #metalalbum #metalalbums

  • July 13, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Monarch

0 Manuel Barbará Shares How To Play “The God Complex” w/ New Guitar Video, Playthrough Premiere via TechnicalMusicReview, New Album “Moonrise” Out Now!

  • April 7, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – April 7, 2021

For fans of Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, Periphery, Tesseract, Jeff Loomis

Manuel Barbará Shares How To Play “The God Complex” w/ New Guitar Video

Playthrough Premiere via TechnicalMusicReview

New Album “Moonrise” Out Now!

New Jersey’s Manuel Barbará released his seven-track instrumental album “Moonrise” on March 19th. The full-length is the first introduction of heavy, ambient, and classically inspired progressive metal by Barbará who is the sole songwriter of this project.

Today, he shares more insight into the record with his latest guitar playthrough video for the track “The God Complex”, which is heavily inspired by guitar gods Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow. The composition blends heavy guitars and tribal drum patterns with light cinematic and electronic elements. It is also the only piece on the album to have a true guitar solo.

Barbará adds:

“The drums for God Complex were tracked during a 7:00 pm to 5:00 am session nearly a month after we recorded the drums for the rest of the album. To this day, I don’t know how I managed to go to work to teach music theory the next day.”

The playthrough for “The God Complex” can be viewed via its premiere on TechnicalMusicReview HERE.

Barbará took up the guitar at the age of 16 and managed to successfully audition for Berklee at age 18. The debut album “Moonrise” is a unique piece of music, much of the writing was done during the very early days of his training in classical composition. For Barbará, this work is a journey through a series of sonic worlds and colors that he has carefully crafted. He comments on the album:

“This music has been part of my own little universe for so long, and I am beyond excited to share it with the world. The process of making the album has been an epic journey, a learning experience, and a trial by fire all wrapped into one and I am looking forward to bringing that journey to an audience, and into the future with the music that is to come.

The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person, but I hope the audience will join me on this small adventure I’ve prepared.”

According to Barbará, these songs, so far, were only ever performed live once and are not likely to be performed again for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he makes an effort during his live performances to avoid the “musical statues” syndrome that plagues so many prog bands.

A fluid and extravagant progressive masterpiece, “Moonrise” awaits fans of Periphery, Tesseract, and Jeff Loomis.

Album stream and download available on 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Previous Playthroughs:
Title Track “Moonrise” (Guitar / Bass Playthrough) – https://youtu.be/HIpLs6TXQU0
“The Nightmare Weaver” (Guitar Playthrough) – https://youtu.be/4QtXcqyAMjs

Track Listing

  1. Moonrise (5:08)
  2. The God Complex (6:08)
  3. Children of Prometheus (4:54)
  4. Mirrors I – Image (5:10)
  5. Mirrors II – Silver (3:48)
  6. Mirrors III – Reflection (4:20)
  7. The Nightmare Weaver (6:15)

Album Length: 35:45

More Info:
Facebook.com/8stringalchemy
Instagram.com/8stringalchemy
YouTube
EPK

– 30 –

“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

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

“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 

“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

“Unbelievable that Moonrise is the debut of a musical whiz kid. Manuel  Barbará  publishes an incredibly mature masterpiece, which not only pays homage to its role models Dream Theater , Keith Marrow or Periphery , but also presents a crisp progressive Djent Metal at eye level,” – Sound Magnet

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará’s Debut Progressive Metal Album “Moonrise”, Album Stream via Metal-Rules

  • March 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 18, 2021

For fans of Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, Periphery, Tesseract, Jeff Loomis

Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará’s Debut Progressive Metal Album “Moonrise”

Album Stream via Metal-Rules

Album Out March 19th, 2021

New Jersey’s Manuel Barbará has a debut album “Moonrise” out and it will be streaming on all music platforms for the listening pleasure of prog fans worldwide as of Friday, March 19th. Barbará is the sole songwriter of this project and it marks the beginning of his foray into the musical world.

And before the album officially drops, its full stream is being premiered via Metal-Rules HERE.

Barbará took up the guitar at the age of 16 and managed to successfully audition for Berklee at age 18. The debut album “Moonrise” is an unique piece of music, much of the writing was done during the very early days of his training in classical composition. For Barbará, this work is a journey through a series of sonic worlds and colors that he has carefully crafted. He comments on the album:

“This music has been part of my own little universe for so long, and I am beyond excited to share it with the world. The process of making the album has been an epic journey, a learning experience, and a trial by fire all wrapped into one and I am looking forward to bringing that journey to an audience, and into the future with the music that is to come.

The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person, but I hope the audience will join me on this small adventure I’ve prepared.”

According to Barbará, these songs, so far, were only ever performed live once and are not likely to be performed again for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he makes an effort during his live performances to avoid the “musical statues” syndrome that plagues so many prog bands.

A fluid and extravagant progressive masterpiece await fans of Periphery, Tesseract, and Jeff Loomis.

The full album is out on March 19, 2021.
Album pre-order is available on 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com.
Apple Music pre-save here.
Spotify pre-save here.

Title Track “Moonrise” – Guitar / Bass Playthrough – https://youtu.be/HIpLs6TXQU0
“The Nightmare Weaver” – Guitar Playthrough – https://youtu.be/4QtXcqyAMjs

Track Listing

  1. Moonrise (5:08)
  2. The God Complex (6:08)
  3. Children of Prometheus (4:54)
  4. Mirrors I – Image (5:10)
  5. Mirrors II – Silver (3:48)
  6. Mirrors III – Reflection (4:20)
  7. The Nightmare Weaver (6:15)

Album Length: 35:45

More Info:
Facebook.com/8stringalchemy
Instagram.com/8stringalchemy
YouTube
EPK

– 30 –

“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

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

“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 

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Manuel Barbará Conjures The Weird And Wonderful With “The Nightmare Weaver” Off Upcoming Album “Moonrise”, Guitar Playthrough Premiere via NewFuryMedia

  • February 26, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 26, 2021

For fans of Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, Periphery, Tesseract, Jeff Loomis

Manuel Barbará Conjures The Weird And Wonderful With “The Nightmare Weaver” Off Upcoming Album “Moonrise”

“The Nightmare Weaver” Guitar Playthrough Premiere via NewFuryMedia

Album Out March 19th, 2021

Heavy, ambient, classically inspired progressive metal is the name of the game for New Jersey’s Manuel Barbará. Looking to create something short, but still substantial for his debut release, he has come up with the seven-track instrumental album “Moonrise”.

Much of Barbará’s writing aims to create worlds made of sound that the listener can live in as they experience the piece. A lot of the music grows out of a single idea that he can coalesce and build the world around. The second single from the album is “The Nightmare Weaver”, which he says is the most ambitious composition on the record. He explains in further detail:

“It features ambiguous and constantly shifting tonal centers and epic clean guitars juxtaposed with enormous 8-string riffs. It ends with a weird and ambiguous chord progression reminiscent of the one at the end of “Children of Prometheus”.”

As far as more music goes, Barbará says there is another track in production and an abundance of ideas for new tunes. This album is his first foray into the music world, in which he is currently planning to attend graduate school for composition with the long-term goal of becoming a professor.

This album will resonate with all fans of this style of music, especially fans of Keith Merrow, Periphery, and Tesseract.

The single “The Nightmare Weaver” can be heard via its guitar playthrough premiere on NewFuryMedia HERE.

Spotify pre-save here.

The full album is out on March 19, 2021.
Album pre-order is available on 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com.
Apple Music pre-save here.

Title Track “Moonrise” – Guitar / Bass Playthrough – https://youtu.be/HIpLs6TXQU0

Track Listing
1. Moonrise (5:08)
2. The God Complex (6:08)
3. Children of Prometheus (4:54)
4. Mirrors I – Image (5:10)
5. Mirrors II – Silver (3:48)
6. Mirrors III – Reflection (4:20)
7. The Nightmare Weaver (6:15)
Album Length: 35:45

More Info:
Facebook.com/8stringalchemy
Instagram.com/8stringalchemy
YouTube
EPK

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

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