IL VOLTO VERDE

Well, it has been quite a while since I have had the opportunity to write about Il Segno Di Comando, as their last album was released in 2002 and I reviewed it in August of that year. There followed a long period of activity until Diego Banchero put together a new line-up in 2010, with just himself remaining. Perhaps the most prominent change from the listener's perspective is that there is now a female singer in Maethelyiah, and with the musical approach also changing somewhat it isn't hard to say that in many ways this is a brand new band as opposed to the third album. Anyway, putting such matters to one side, what we have here is an album that is looking back to the classic Seventies progressive movement, especially the mighty Goblin, but also bringing in some lighter and symphonic moments that offset the darkness and drama that one might expect.

For the most part Maethelyiah is a revelation, but there are some places, such as when she is providing vocals behind the guitar on "Tremodia delle dolci parole" that it just doesn't work and she actually detracts from the rest of the band. But, when she is at the forefront and is singing the lead then she is full of confidence and the rest of the guys support her admirably. If this was a debut then I would say that it was showing promise, and to be honest that is probably the best way to look at it, but if we see this as a continuation from 'Der Golem' then I have to say that I much prefer the former. There are some really strong passages here and there and some good songs, but overall it just doesn't contain the same presence and power of their last work. www.blackwidow.it