Hydria wastes no time in taking you to symphonic metal Nirvana with their 2010 release, Poison Paradise.     Lead vocalist Raquel Schüler’s voice soars through each song with melodic ease.  When she sings in her upper register, Raquel’s soprano notes flutter down like snowflakes from heaven.

Yet it is the music of Hydria that makes her vocal, melodic, and lyrical talent such an artistic success.   The layered symphonic keys, the perfectly composed guitar riffs, driving bass guitar, and superior drumming is where the pounding heart of Hydria resides.   Yet the band understands that heart is not enough, there must be a spirit to fill the soul. Vocalist Raquel Schüler embodies that spirit.

Raquel Schüler

Poison Paradise is a powerful, melodic, intensely beautiful listening experience.  On the first track  Time of My Life, we are treated to a vocal counterpoint between the angelic voice of Raquel and a growling male vocal.  From this point forward, we know that anything and everything is possible with Hydria.

One of my favorite songs is Sweet Dead Innocence.  The song is dramatic power metal at its finest.  Raquel shows she can sing with the full  Evanessence-style vocals.   The song has wonderful transitions from symphonic drama to power metal with a strong pop-rock hook that could quickly become a sing-along in a live concert.  That is, if anyone can sing along with Raquel.  THAT would be a challenge for the best rock singers in her genre.

There are no bad tracks on this album.  Every song has something good to offer. Time signature changes are clever and precise. The progressions or riffs that power through or slow down into symphonic grandeur are nicely arranged and emotionally moving. Poison Paradise is a disc that will stay on our favorites list for many years to come.

HYDRIA: Poison Paradise

http://cdbaby.com/cd/hydria2

1 -	Time Of My Life
2 -	The Place Where We Belong
3 -	Whisper
4 -	When You Call My Name
5 -	Finally
6 -	Prelude
7 -	Distant Melody
8 -	The Sword
9 -	Queen Of Rain
10 -	Sweet Dead Innocence
11 -	Poison Paradise
12 -	In The Edge Of Sanity
13 -	The Only One

Hydria is comprised of Marcelo Oliveira heading up guitars/grunts,

Turu Henrick on bass, Márcio Klimberg on the keys,

and Fabiano Martins on drums,

with enchanting lead vocals by the beautiful Raquel Schuler,

who also on occasion plays the acoustic guitar.