MYTHO

This Italian five piece formation was founded in 2007, one year later the band released an EP entitled Alpha Centauri and in 2010 Mytho contributed to the Marillion tribute CD by Italian progrock label Mellow Records. In 2010 Mytho also produced their debut album In The Abstract, proudly the band mentions that singer John Payne (from Asia fame) joins Mythos in one track. This is an indication that Mytho don't make Classic Italian prog like Banco, Le Orm, PFM or new Italian prog like Maschera Di Cera, Moongarden, Pandora or Il Bacio Della Medusa.

In contrary, the 9 compositions will appeal to the fans of melodic rock: song-oriented, modern keyboards, a tight rhythm-section and functional soli on guitar. It sounds fresh and professional, the songs are tastefully arranged, alternating between dreamy and fluent rhythms featuring fiery electric guitar and subtle work on keyboards. Singer Marco Machera (he also plays bass and synthesizer) his voice is pleasant, without a disturbing accent. Of course we all want to know how about John Payne and that one song. Well, that is named New Gemini's Rising: his warm voice perfectly matches with Mythos their sound, first dreamy, then halfway an accellaration with powerful guitar runs and in the end a moving guitar solo.

I am sure that fans of Nineties Rush and Asia and the more polished Neo-Prog will appreciate this music. To me it sounds as a pleasant surprise from Italy, mature and professonional.

My rating: 3,5 star.

Opening tune Alpha Centauri is the best of the bunch on this EP, with swirling layers of synths guitar creating a distinct neo-progressive sound and an intriguing as well as compelling atmosphere that most fans of aforementioned genre should highly appreciate.

The following two compositions are on the weak side though; No Shadows In The Sun sporting fragmented arhythmic guitars as a key feature and last track Night Eyes a rich and emotional synth and guitar riff theme; but both tracks somewhat clumsy put together and venturing much too far into overly explored AOR territories in terms of musical expression.

Worth getting for the opening track though; which is a real gem.