Review: German Pascual – Beyond Our Comprehension
By Keven Crothers
Vocalist extraordinaire German Pascual has returned with a world class album of European Power Metal. It’s been a long time since his debut solo album 2012’s ‘A New Beginning’ and even longer since he belted it out for Narnia on their ‘Course of a Generation’ album (2009).
His second solo album, ‘Beyond Our Comprehension,’ out now through Roxx Records (October 31, 2025 release date) fills the niche for fans of Rob Rock, Helloween and Primal Fear.
For the uninitiated vocally, German rides that wave of Ronnie James Dio & Rob Rock with exceptional melody and control. Producer Jani Stefanovic has captured German’s vocal prowess and has delivered to us a solid, punchy, heavy melodic release. The sound elements here are modern and well composed.
Themes of personal redemption, struggle, broken relationships, and victory over evil permeate throughout this album. In the liner notes German provides a glimpse of the struggle when he writes ‘Thanks… God for giving me my life back and for your endless love! I’m so grateful for every lesson in my life and even when I acted like a child You were there and never left me.’ A statement I know I can relate to as I’m sure you can as well.
German’s re-commitment to God and serving Him is the focus of “Send Me Out.” Lyrics were actually penned by Christian Liljegren of Narnia, but the conviction of German’s delivery convinced me of His utter sincerity. The track itself is a full on banger that screams the heavy metal goods.
There are so many exceptional tracks here, literally recorded over a 10+ year period. Some of the first singles/videos released through Roxx Records such as “Perfect Harmony” and “ Through Fire and Brimstone” provide an exceptional ‘taster’ of what to expect from ‘Beyond Our Comprehension.’ Fans of German’s first solo album may find a lot of similarities between these two releases. Perhaps the first release ‘A New Beginning’ is slightly heavier, slightly. ‘New Beginning’ is a bit rawer sound, where ‘Beyond Our Comprehension’ has a more produced sound that still hits you like a piledriver.
‘ Masque of Vengeance’ is probably the heaviest track on the album. A melodic, driving, heavy track that frankly reminds a bit of Epica with clean vocals. The story of Pharaoh and Moses, from Pharaoh’s point of view. A unique albeit brief retelling. Quite a bit of musical dynamics going on here, to add atmosphere and ambience. When the riffage starts you know you’re in for one amazing ride and the metal journey is nothing short of epic.
When you listen to the song ‘Through Fire and Brimstone’ the title is a little deceptive. What I mean by that, is initially I was thinking it was lyrically an evangelistic tract. Instead it’s a song of perseverance and transformation, taken in context of the entire album this is a song of rebirth and transcendence. The spiritual journey from being dead spiritually, moving to seeking, finally understanding the Truth of Jesus and rising up a new born believer with the gifts that come with that. A fantastic guitar solo permeates this tune provided by Tom Gardiner.
Perhaps the song that hits the hardest in my opinion is ‘Breach My Despair.’ A song of abandonment by God and also the outgrowth of a broken relationship. There is so much emotional baggage that comes out of my own soul hearing the German vocal imploring God to rescue him with while he is “sailing away in the ocean of oblivion…” A track that hits so hard emotionally. The fantastic melody and chorus brings the pleading and the pain right out into the open. This is the type of song only someone who has gone through it can understand and communicate it. The dark night of the soul indeed. A song I wish I had heard 20+ years ago, dark emotional pain is universal and is the bane of human existence.
‘Beyond Our Comprehension’ is one of the ten best metal albums this year. If you haven’t already ordered it what can you possibly be waiting for? Check out some of the video’s on Roxx Records YouTube channel, this album is a must for fans of European Power Metal. Truly one of the best metal albums of 2025!
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