If you read our Best Albums of 2012 article in January, you might recall that I picked Kandia as my Band To Watch For In 2013. I made that choice based solely on my reaction to a teaser video that the Portuguese duo released last year for their upcoming album. What was my reaction? WOW! The song clips punched all expectations in the gut. Kandia had already developed a sensual yet dynamic melodic rock/metal style for their 2010 debut album, Inward Beauty Outward Reflection. The teaser, however, heralded a more electronically influenced yet even more intense metal sound that had the potential to be awesomely monstrous. That creature now has a name: All Is Gone. And it’s a dazzling, roaring lioness ready to pounce on the metal world.

Produced by long-time Kandia collaborator Daniel Cardoso (who’s also Anathema’s keyboardist), All Is Gone shows the band trading their original sound for turbo-charged electro-rock. I kid you not. This album is an F-5 tornado of hard rock, nu-metal, pop, industrial, and electronic music. Even the slower tracks throb with aggression, like what we heard on the Lacuna Coil classic "Swamped." Guitarist André Cruz pumps out everything from coasting rhythms to down-tuned, pulverizing riffs. Thick layers of keyboards and synthesizers give the music loads of texture; and renowned DJ Katfyr enhances the futuristic vibe by adding skipping, samples, and other experimental touches. The new direction on All Is Gone must have inspired singer Nya Cruz to open up as an artist. Lyrically she tackles tough topics such as relationships, social issues, and self-image. And vocally she flexes her soulful, leathery voice to its fullest, reaching as far as passionate screaming. (Just regular screaming, by the way; not grunting or growling.)

I called All Is Gone a "tornado" for another reason: This record churns with the energy of one! Listeners will feel it in the slow, hammering strides of "New Breed" and "Done With You" and even more so on the uptempo tracks. Each song also channels its energy in distinct ways. From choppy drumming and siren-like sound effects ("Karma") to techno-infused synthrock with elastic riffs ("Everything You Say"), the amount of variety on All Is Gone never fails to surprise. "Blow" and "Our Final Day" are destined to become fan favorites, and for different reasons. The former goes ballistic, with crushing guitars, descending-aircraft synths, and Nya chanting the verses as if she’s rallying troops in the thousands. The latter cruises on a smooth rhythmic current and catchy melodies that belie the lyrics’ warning ("You better run if you wanna run / And stay if you wanna stay / Counting all the minutes to our final day").

All Is Gone also exudes a striking amount of emotion for an electro-rock album. "Scars," the album’s first single, is a terrific example. The plodding tempo and industrial / nu-metal swagger actually play up the lyrics, which deal with craving acceptance from others while fearing rejection. (Watch the "Scars" lyric video here.) This balance of soul and inorganic sounds also occurs on the album’s two true ballads, "Deviant" and "Bother." Both start off with somber keyboards and Nya singing softly, then launch off in their own directions. "Deviant" morphs into a searing call for salvation, the music’s explosiveness augmenting the despair of Nya’s cries to rid herself of the "devil I never had you see." "Bother" takes a more controlled, electronica-based route that tugs at the heart with its melancholy undertones and Nya’s chorus harmonies. I think most Kandia fans will jump for "Deviant," and I can understand why, but something endearing about "Bother" keeps me coming back to that one.

As much as I love All Is Gone, a couple flaws stick out for me. First, several tracks seem incomplete. They wrap up in 3½ minutes or less with just two verses, two choruses, and instrumental bits. Artists can succeed with the 2-by-2 format if they develop the song well enough. But for some songs on All Is Gone, I sensed that Kandia still had more to say lyrically or musically but (to my disappointment) chose to keep things short instead. Also, while Nya’s screaming brings even more fun to this album, it’s a bit overdone. I love how she uses her ragged yelling to express anger or to boost a song’s energy or aggression. But it doesn’t work so well on more heartfelt moments (particularly "Deviant") and some of the refrains. Those parts would have been benefitted more from a little more vocal reservation: somehow keeping it forceful without detracting from the song or distracting the listener.

I have to applaud Kandia, though, because I usually don’t like electro-rock (apart from Ideal Zero). For me, it often lacks the pulse and passion of other rock and metal subgenres. All Is Gone, however, possesses both qualities as well as attitude and electricity. That’s why it could – and should – be a game-changer in this style. With just one album, Kandia have leapt lightyears ahead of other bands who have been making electro-rock their entire careers. And as long as they keep their current production team together, André and Nya Cruz may very well continue to outpace their peers. So if you’re looking for an album to rock your summer, pick up All Is Gone. It’s bold, fun, and sexy – exactly what summery metal music should sound like. And once summer has ended, you might find yourself blasting it at top volume for the rest of the year.

8.75 / 10

Best Songs: "Scars," "Our Final Day," "Bother," "All Is Gone"

For Fans Of: The Birthday Massacre, Lacuna Coil, Flowing Tears, Amaranthe, Omega Lithium, Skeptical Minds, and November-7

All Is Gone will be released internationally in digital format on May 27, 2013. Check Kandia’s Facebook page for more information about the album’s release.