Single Review: V.n.r.e.a.l. – Asterion II for #METALMOMENTUM

Band: V.n.r.e.a l.
Title: Asterion II (single)
Country: Argentina
Label: Self-released
Release Date: November 11th, 2025
Format Reviewed: High Quality Digital Recording

Single Review: V.n.r.e.a.l. – Asterion II for #METALMOMENTUM via Art Gates Records by Elyna Steel

V.n.r.e.a.l. – “Asterion II”: A Masterpiece of South American Theatrical Metal  by Elyna Steel 

“V.n.r.e.a.l. unleash the haunting power of “Asterion II”, a dramatic and emotionally charged display of theatrical metal. With cinematic orchestrations, expressive vocals, and impeccable production, the band delivers a gripping chapter in their conceptual saga “The House of Asterion”. A dark, immersive journey into fragmented identity and human despair ” by Elyna Steel

V.n.r.e.a.l., the mighty maestros of South American theatrical metal, are back with an anthological display of their avant-garde artistry: ‘Asterion II’. This second release continues and enhances the disturbing and sombre atmosphere that so characterises the band’s work.

Led by the great vocalist and founder of the project, Roberto Castiglioni, V.n.r.e.a.l. presents this new single after “Asterion I”, belonging to their forthcoming EP “The House of Asterion”, which will also feature orchestral and piano versions of both tracks.

The story of “Asterion II” revolves around the fragmented identity of the protagonist, who is a victim of himself in the form of self-criticism and guilt, tormenting himself and suffering from the ghosts of the past. This being has built a shell of heroism in front of others, but the base of that mask is fear, conveying a sense of false courage whose driving force behind all action is internal pain. 

This scenario is cyclical; it is like a never-ending story in an emotional labyrinth of destruction, resurgence, and destruction. There is no hope or possible way out.

It is a dark story that echoes human conflicts in all their diversity. The same hell for one person is not the same for another, and so every day, new Asterions emerge in an eternal dance of pain and despair.

Doing justice to such dramatic lyrics, the music of ‘”Asterion II” is a faithful reflection of them. 

Structured in an exquisite 4/4 time signature and a diverse medium to fast tempo, the track features varied instrumentation that incorporates cinematic and operatic elements in the keyboard orchestrations. The tuning conveys anguish, bordering on despair with flat, major and minor notes that provide an experience consistent with the lyrical narrative, as well as deeply immersive.

Also noteworthy are the intense drum beats and insane rolls, evoking the sound of progressive power metal, with nods to melodic black metal. These add a layer of aggressiveness and emphasis, making it not only dramatic but also powerful.

The vocals, on the other hand, are crafted with precision and consistency, featuring diverse harmonisations. The lead vocalist plays with octaves, rising and falling, and performs operatic embellishments that lend solemnity and deep emotional weight to the track, further reinforcing the theatrical power of “Asterion II”. 

As for the production quality of ‘Asterion II’, it bears the CAS seal; a very well-executed work, with a high-quality sound where each element is incorporated and combined with the others in a balanced way. Each vocal and melodic line is in harmony, resulting in a first-rate final product, as is everything that Roberto Castiglioni and V.n.r.e.a.l. know how to do it.

As a side note, and especially for those unfamiliar with theatrical metal, V.n.r.e.a.l. are outstanding exponents of this genre, incidentally. 

Theatrical metal as such emerged in Finland no more than 15 years ago, with its first mentions as a genre relating to the band Lost in Grey. This style is characterised by incorporating elements of theatrical narrative into the lyrics, along with cinematic sounds, opera-style choral voices, and several lead vocals, which interact to develop the song. Along with this, the instrumentation of theatrical metal ranges from progressive power metal, heavy metal, death metal, atmospheric doom, and even melodic black metal. A true musical plethora of the highest level. As for the lyrics, theatrical metal always brings us concept albums that develop the work in as many acts as there are songs in the album. Finally, the production and sound quality of theatrical metal is always of the highest standard, as every detail is taken care of in the mixing and mastering process to capture the essence of a live performance without sounding like one, but rather balancing all the elements to tell a good story through the vocals and melodies. 

Now, although the band’s style is classified by many as symphonic metal, with ‘Asterion II’, V.n.r.e.a.l. reaffirms its place as the most solid, innovative, and emotionally powerful theatrical metal bands in Latin America. Their ability to combine narrative, technique, emotion, and high-level, impactful production demonstrates their mastery in creating great theatrical metal. The band not only honours the foundations of this beautiful genre, but also gives us another incredible example of how to make theatrical metal impeccably, with feeling, emotion, passion, and the solemnity and professionalism that the genre demands, making ‘Asterion II’ a complete, profound, and endearing musical and aesthetic experience. 10/10

Band
Instagram
Facebook
Bandcamp
Spotify
YouTube

10/10 Immortal Classic
**Please support the underground! It’s vital to the future of our genre**
#WeAreBlessedAltarZine
#TheZineSupportingTheUnderground