SENZA TEMPO

I got this album through a friend who was praising this band in a brazilian prog forum. The first notes from Senza Tempo had the effect of thinking this was one obscure outfit from the 70´s. I was quite impressed to know they were in fact such a contemporary italian band. Certainly they did absorb very well the right influences (other italian great ones from that era like Banco, PFM, etc plus some british counterparts, of which early Genesis is the most obvious one), and while they retain some every strong old styled symphonic sounds, I found they also incorporated more modern elements, even some metallic riffings here and there.

I believe this is a concept album, but I´m not really sure of it. All I can say the music is very good . The musicians are very skilled . Mario Moi has a strong voice that is fairly unique and overall their sound is less melodic and edgier than most bands I heard from Italy. Production and mixing are excellent.

All in all I felt this band to be quite promising. I´m looking forward to hear their next releases. If you like italian symphonic rock mixed with some alternative and metal bits to spice it up, then Senxa Tempo is for you. 3,5 stars.

Following the release of ''Nostos'' Ubi Maior eventually entered a fruitful period with numerous live shows in festivals, mainly in their homecountry, while they also covered ''Veteran cosmic rocker'' for the 2006 Moody Blues' tribute album ''Higher and higher'', released on Mellow Records.Once the concept of their next album was captured, the band begun rehearsing.Their new work was thematically based on Neil Gaiman's graphic novel ''Sandman'' and Ubi Maior recorded the album at the Pop Life Studio in Milano.May 2009 sees finally the release of ''Senza tempo''.

The sound of the band remained energetic, passionate and melodic with heavier underlines between their most typical symphonic glory, displayed with a balanced instrumentation and plenty of mood changes.Still they seem to be heavily influenced by the classic Italian acts such as BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO and BIGLIETTO PER L'INFERNO, combining Classical influences with harder moments and lyrical intensity.Very bombastic and pompous material with shifting keyboard textures, starting from orchestral keyboards and old-fashioned organ and ending up in flashy, modern synth deliveries and atmospheric piano interludes, while the guitar work is often great with impressive solos and inspired lead parts.There are also some surprising jazzy overtones in a few tracks, what the album lacks is some of the striking compositions of their debut.Otherwise ''Senza tempo'' is a very good album in a typical Italian Prog vein with a hard edge and dramatic, symphonic influences.The band never forgets to add some fine melodic lines between the bombastic executions and the result is charming, adventuruous and often intricate, even if not exactly on par with their amazing debut.

Solid second effort by Ubi Maior.Essential or fans of dramatic Italian Prog and rich Symphonic/Heavy Prog.Recommended.