CASA ENCANTADA

This album, "Casa Encantada", is really two steps backwards when compared with band's magnum opus, "Criaturas da Noite", released just one year before - sometimes it seems that we're facing different bands. Others will tell me that hearing both albums in a row may be unfair with this one, considering the masterliness of the other; I accept the comment but I warn that either works were compiled together in a 1999 CD release and many people will do like me: to listen to either albums at the same time.

The explanation for such dissimilarity between those 2 albums could be that "Criaturas da Noite" contains 'old' material composed in the early 70s whilst "Casa Encantada" is filled with 'new' material, where they tried to venture through different ways. The probable controversy that arose inside the band caused the departure of some members to create the crossover/prog-related 14-BIS band, leaving O TERÇO to deal with the symphonic issue - a thing they know very well.

Anyway, even not being unforgettable, "Casa Encantada" is averagely nice to be heard, with amusing passages with ethnic, folk, hard-rock and poppish tunes. General production and musicianship are high and O TERÇO keeps the harmonic vocals that are a kind of band's registered mark.

Some tracks are better than others and deserve to be highlighted; they are :
'Sentinela do abismo', the best and also the proggiest track in the album;
'Casa encantada', the title-track is catchy and agreeable;
'Solaris', a fine space-rock song; and
'O vôo da Fênix', a track provided with interesting Brazilian ethnic/folk tunes.

Considering what was said above this album should be rated as collectors/fan only but due to the mentioned tracks and O TERÇO history and importance in the Brazilian progressive scenario I'll raise the final rating with an additional star and will label "Casa Encantada" as good, but non- essential.