Element - 2026 - Dreamer

(67:04; M&O Music)

Track list:
1. Let It Shine 5:19
2. Over and Over 5:08
3. Beat of a Heart 4:37
4. Love 2:37
5. Faces 5:51
6. Cicatrix 6:27
7. Look Inside 2:24
8. Awaken 5:36
9. Beauty in the Pain 5:43
10. Colors 5:49
11. Immortal Soldier 5:57
12. Everafter 5:24
13. Dreamer 6:12

Line-up:
Ernesto Bojorquez - vocals, guitars
Juan Quinonez - guitars, vocals
Arturo Galvan - guitars, vocals
Ronie Gastélum - keyboards, guitars, vocals
Sergio Raso - keyboards, guitars, vocals
Carlos Jiménez - bass, vocals
Jorge Haros - drums, vocals


Prolusion.
Mexican band Element was formed back in 2010, and made their debut as recording artists in 2015 with the album "Timeless". A handful of single and EP releases would follow in the years after this, and then in 2026 the band signed to French label M&O Music for the release of their sophomore production "Dreamer".

Analysis.
The style of music explored by this Mexican band is inside of the progressive metal tradition, and in this case it is a more broadly appealing variety of the form. The songs are melodic and accessible, and the band tends to shy away from the more challenging and experimental landscapes in terms of instrument details and sounds as well as song structure.

There is a liberal amount of hard rock and even AOR elements in the landscapes explored here, with a liberal amount of more careful passages usually alternating with firmer, harder or crunchier parts. We do get songs that are more closely aligned with a melodic rock expression throughout, but not all that many that stick to the metal sound from start to finish. But we do have instances of more atmospheric laden passages alternating with the metal dominated parts rather than the melodic rock element frequently found elsewhere.

The riff movements and how they combine with the keyboards or piano is the most striking feature from a progressive metal point of view here I suspect, but with the song structure also being a bit more sophisticated that adds a progressive element to the landscapes explored here. With the different flavors of the individual songs also being tied into the fact that this is a concept album, which in itself still is a progressive element of course.

The lead vocals from this band are a striking and impressive element throughout, where a strong melodic delivery is combined with a powerful voice, which results in the vocals being a dominating and defining trait throughout for this production. With a high quality mix and production also being a positive and elevating element on this album throughout.

Conclusion.
If you enjoy a more easygoing and accessible variety of progressive metal, where there is space and room for hard rock and melodic metal interludes and even a slight touch of AOR tendencies at times, this second studio album by Mexican band Element is one that has a good chance of being found to be an interesting one to explore. Especially if you enjoy concept albums and bands sporting a powerful, melodic and well controlled singer in front.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, September 2026

Links:
https://elementbandmx.com/
https://www.m-o-music.com/