STRINGS FROM THE EDGE OF SOUND

It is safe to say that over the years I have not been the most consistent fan of Italian band Karmamoi, and felt that their last album, 2021's 'Room 801' was a step in the wrong direction. That saw them again working as a trio of Daniele Giovannoni (drums, keyboards, backing vocals), Alex Massari (guitars) and Alessandro Cefalì (bass) along with a series of guests, including singer Sara Rinaldi who was there for her third album as lead singer. Also on that album as a guest was Valerio Sgargi, who has now joined as a full member of the band on lead & backing vocals plus keyboards. The band are now working as a quartet with no guests, apart from the use of an orchestra. What we have here is a somewhat unusual approach in that there are only four new songs, along with five songs from previous albums which have been rearranged and revisited for orchestra to provide new dimensions.

While I have not been a consistent fan of Karmamoi, I have reviewed the last four of their releases (just missing out on the 2011 debut) so I have actually heard a lot of their music, but it is safe to say none of them have had the impact on me that this one has. When some bands introduce orchestras to the arrangement, it seems forced and just not right at all, but here it is seamless and feels as if it has always meant to be heard in this manner. Sgargi has a wonderfully relaxed and emotional tenor, happy to sing in a more classical or stage manner where the time arises (such as on "Take Me Home", taken from 2018's 'The Day Is Done' which until now I thought was their finest hour), providing plenty of drama and passion.

This album is a milestone for Karmamoi, and we can only hope they use it as a stepping stone to even greater things as this is easily their finest work to date and something all progheads need to seek out immediately if not sooner.