EVIL

After two LPs and a string of shorter EPs, in October 2001Italian prog metallers Time Machine released their third full-length album, "Evil", a concept album based on the novel "Cherudek" by Italian writer Valerio Evangelisti. The record marks yet another revolution in the band's line-up, with three new members appearing on "Evil" relative to the previous release: guitarist Gianluca Ferro, drummer Claudio Riotti, and singer Pino Tozzi (all coming from Italian prog metal band Arkhè). The new members join long-time members Lorenzo Dehó (bass) and Joe Taccone (guitars), as well as a small number of guest musicians, including long-term band collaborator Roberto Gramegna on keyboards and Eddy Antonini (Skylark) on piano in "Eyes of Fire".

"Evil" is a rather accomplished release, especially when compared to those early, roughly produced Time Machine albums. The album contains ten tracks of melodic progressive / symphonic power metal, pretty much in the vein of bands like Royal Hunt, Savatage and Threshold. There are also hints of more traditional prog metal (Dream Theater) as well as neoclassical metal (Rainbow). The tracks revolve around excellent vocal melodies and big, singalong choruses that are masterfully crafted to immediately prick up the ears. The song structures are fairly simple and never stray too far from the verse/chorus repetition, plus the occasional guitar solo. The arrangements, though, are rich and multi-layered, with a good contrast between a modern, edgy guitar sound and lush symphonic keyboard arrangements. The spotlight is often on the vocal lines, which in many tracks are really excellent. Pino Tozzi has a warm, moody voice, and he cleverly stays in a comfortable mid-range that allows for maximum expressivity.

The album contains some great songs, but also a couple of duller moments that detract a bit from the overall listening experience. The powerful, uptempo "Where's My Heaven?" is a great way to open the album, energizing and melancholic at the same time. "Eyes of Fire" is one of the album's highlights: propelled forward by a gritty guitar riff, this song sports a very catchy chorus and a great solo spot by Eddy Antonini on piano. "Evil Lies" is the other highlight of the album. It is a rich song, containing another excellent chorus, a nice alternation between male and female vocals (provided by guest singer Melody Castellari), a Latin choir, and an awesome dissonant guitar solo by guest musician Max Lotti. The instrumental piece "Ecclesia Spiritualis" is also interesting, with its spooky ambient sections and cool atmosphere. I also like the album closer, "Hailing Souls", which recreates the combination of power and moodiness of the opening track. "Army of the Dead" (with its strong Royal Hunt vibes) and especially "Angel of Death" are instead somewhat less interesting and are bogged down by weaker vocal melodies and excessive repetition.

Overall, "Evil" is a thoroughly enjoyable album of modern melodic progressive metal. Blessed by a very warm and organic production and some great melodic ideas, the album flows away pleasantly and with more than a few moments of brilliance. If I were to nit-pick, perhaps the biggest downside here is that on this record Time Machine have somewhat lost those peculiar sound characteristics that had made their early records stand out from the rest of the prog metal scene (complex, multi-part songwriting driven by bass riffs and arpeggios; a distinctive "Italian" melodic flair). "Evil" sounds instead much closer to the international prog metal standard of those years, which is both a good and bad thing. It is a good thing because it shows that the band has made enormous progress compared to the uncertain, slightly amateurish early recordings. But, at the same time, this also means that Time Machine have lost along the way those characteristics that had made their initial sound unique and original. Nevertheless, "Evil" is a strong album, and if melodic prog / power metal is your poison of choice, you won't regret giving it a try.