PHERSU

Somebody thinks that the word "Persona" derives from this strange creature names Phersu which is represented on some painting in the Etruscan tombs. Profusion is a band from the same area, even if the drummer is Georgian. Some Georgian artists are also guests in the album.

3 years fter the excellent Rewotower which contained a masterpiece song like the arrangement of the traditional Georgian "Chuta Chani", the band is back with an album which opens heavy and powerful with "Snooze". This song is catchy, vocals and guitar are remarkable, but the whole band shows an excellent technical skill. In some parts I have heard a little SPOCK'S BEARD or TRANSATLANTIC vibe, but very much harder, and thinking better, also Riverside, mainly in the instrumental parts.

Let's go track by track, then.

"Free Fall" is opened by heavy guitar and keys. Directly in the Prog-metal realm, but the singing is melodic. The main chord sequence reminds to a 60s Italian famous pop band, the EQUIPE 84. Just a concidence, because the song changes theme several times and there is a lot of different stuff inside. I must add that I reallly like the clean high- pitched voice of Luca LATINI.

"Forgettful Hero" is opened by piano, instead. A short moment of relax after two good heavy songs. There's a short intro of Gilmour-ish guitar, but it's just an illusion, as the heavyness returns quickly to introduce a folky melodic part of piano and voice. A great song, also when the heavyness comes back. The melodic lines are always catchy. There's an american band that comes to my mind: the "1974". If you have liked that band, you'll surely like this as well.

Again a piano intro, but this time "Wrinkled Maiden" is sang by one of the guests, the impressive vocalist Anita Rachvelishvili. She's capable of clean and also operatic singing. The song is one of the more melodic of the album and I think the one with the highest commercial potential, even if it can't be considered "commercial" at all.

Back to metal with "Nomen". I don't understand if some of the lyrics are just "scat" or if they are in, who knows, Georgian? There's Jakub Mietła playing the accordion and the song has a very folk vibe, so it could even be another rearranged traditional like Chuta Chani. One of the album's highlights for its complexity. I wonder how they can be on stage. Unfortunately their website doesn't report any incoming gig currently, at May 2017.

Another unexpected instrument: a harp introduces "Infinity". A keyboard maybe? good championing, in case. This song is very melodic, and it makes me think again to RIVERSIDE (I like that Polish band really a lot...is it evident?). Should the band release a single, this could be the one.

Also the speech opening of "Masquerade" is in a perfect prog-metal vein, but the guitar base is leaning more to classic rock. Of course the signature is odd, that's prog folks!

A piano intro for "Veteran". Also this song is catchy, but it's everything but trivial. Frequent signature changes, unexpectable chord sequences, pauses, an everything going ahead smoothly. My compliments to the composer(s). The piano solo interlude deserves a mention even if short.

"Vanity Fair" opening is classic prog-metal, but it proceeds with a teathrical melody. Is it only me or there's a little bit if Genesis influence? Just a little bit before the first chorus. This is another complex song, and let me specify that I have listened to the album on headphones at high volume. I am also used to relisten to the tracks while I'm writing a review, and just now I've had a quick flash of LED ZEPPELIN, too. Really an excellent album without any weakness.

Also the closing track has a piano intro. "Forbidden" has a very melodic slow start. The vocals are important. I've tried to imagine it sang b a female vocalist. It wouldn't have been that good, I think. Latini's voice fits really well in this song. A slow song, without the metal imprinting of the rest of the album is a good choice as closer, but even without distorted guitars, the choir and Latini are enough to give it an impresion of "power".

So, even if the album lacks a materpiece like Chuta Chani, is more consistent than RewoToweR in the sense that all the songs are almost of the same (excellent) level. Another excellent addition, especially if you like prog-metal.