The Brazilian band Maestrick , known for its blend of progressive heavy metal with elements of art, theater, and literature, has just released the second part of its concept album Espresso Della Vita , now under the name Lunare .
The complete work is guided by the metaphor of life as a train journey, and at the end of the narrative, the protagonist is revealed to be "Dante," in reference to the spiritual journey described by Dante Alighieri in The Divine Comedy ( via TRM Press ).
In an exclusive interview with Wikimetal, vocalist and composer Fábio Caldeira revealed the behind-the-scenes story of the creation of the new album, the symbolism surrounding the work, and the plans that already project the band onto international stages.
Formed in 2006 in the city of São José do Rio Preto (SP), Maestrick is recognized for its fusion of progressive metal and a wide range of influences, including Brazilian music, classical music, literature, visual arts and cinema.
The band features Fábio Caldeira on vocals, Guilherme Carvalho on guitar, Renato “Montanha” Somera on bass, and Heitor Matos on drums and percussion.
The train as a metaphor for life: the concept, creation, and participation of Lunare
Fábio explains that the central concept of the work was born from a casual conversation with his mother: “We were having afternoon coffee in 2011, talking about my late grandfather, and she said, 'it's as if life were a train journey'.”.
This reflection gave rise to the album's main element: "There are those we love who need to get off the train, and there are those we don't like so much, but with whom we need to share the carriage." The train metaphor serves as the emotional and lyrical thread connecting the tracks on Lunare : "'Boarding' symbolizes birth, while 'getting off' represents the passage from this life," explains the vocalist.
Collaborations on Lunare were also a highlight of the creative process. The vocalist reported that each guest artist followed their own path, with Maestrick allowing artistic freedom to the guests.
“We sought to make the musicians feel comfortable, so that they could bring their truth and enrich the album's narrative,” explains Fábio. One example was the participation of Roy Khan , legendary vocalist of Conception and former Kamelot , who performed the track “Lunar Vortex”.
In fact, the collaboration was a chance encounter, born from the friendship between the artists and the mutual respect for their careers. Fábio recounts that he met the Norwegian singer through Edu Falaschi , when he participated as a backing vocalist on his solo tour in January 2024, where Khan also sang as a guest at the former Angra .
“[Edu Falaschi] knew that Roy was a big influence on me and invited me to sing backing vocals on 'Center of the Universe'. After that, we became friends,” reveals Fábio.
Fabio's admiration for Khan's work is longstanding, and the Norwegian artist's recognition of Maestrick was a milestone in his career.
The partnership culminated not only in the recording of the track, but also in a joint music video. Maestrick also served as the backing band for Roy Khan's historic performance at Tokyo Marine Hall during the 20th anniversary celebration of the classic Temple of Shadows , which took place on July 5th.
Bangers Open Air and the exclusive premiere show of Espresso Della Vitta: Lunare
Maestrick's participation in the Bangers Open Air was a landmark event in the band's career. Fábio describes the occasion as very special: "It was very symbolic, especially since it happened right after the release of Lunare . We started the cycle in the best possible way!"
The lead singer explains that the choice of songs was carefully curated: "The setlist needed to have energetic moments, it had to provide people with different emotions, bringing songs that they identify with," which culminated in a performance that celebrated the band's history.
Also, last Saturday, July 12th, Maestrick took to the stage at La Iglesia in São Paulo to officially present their new album. The show marked the beginning of the tour promoting Lunare . Featuring tracks from previous albums as well, the performance was captivating, with a strong stage presence and theatricality, reinforcing the artistic approach that defines the band.
Finally, with the release of Lunare , Maestrick is already preparing for the next steps, because in addition to shows already scheduled in Brazil, the band has confirmed its participation in the renowned ProgPower USA , which will take place in September, alongside names like Symphony X and Sonata Arctica : "We are already preparing for this show," he says.
Fábio also revealed to Wikimetal that the band is already working on a new production: “In August, we're going to dedicate ourselves to recording a new music video for one of our songs; it will be our biggest production yet. It's going to be incredible!”
READ ALSO: Maestrick announces the release of a two-part concept album
