TENEBRAE VINCUNT

Talented young group from Vicenza, Italy, found in 2005, initially writing only instrumental material.Later they added lyrics to their music along with gifted singer Igor D'Aoconte and the band won several contensts, before releasing their first single ''In asentia lucis'' in 2006, followed by the Prog Opera ''...Tenebrae vincunt'', a private CD from 2009.Besides D'Aoconte Absenthia's crew were drummer Massimiliano Piazzon, bassist Alberto Sacozza, guitarists Paolo Miotti and Ferruccio Cadoro and keyboardist Enrico Bau.The lyrics were based in a collection of writing and poems named ''Piazza D'Aoconte e i poeti dell'autunno'', propably written by the singer of Absenthia.

Absenthia managed to create a beautiful, poetic and flexible release of lyrical Progressive Rock with Folk, Classical and Rock influences, where the acoustic delicacy of guitars, flutes and strings meet the heavier side of Rock music, led by the powerful guitars and bombastic keyboards.They sound as an amalgam of compatriots MINSTREL and FLOATING STATE, getting deep into Medieval territories with trobadour-like poetic narrations and bursting into pounding Progressive Rock with operatic vocals, ending in a very theatrical and unique style.Part of their succesful sound is definitely singer Igor D'Aoconte with his God-sent voice, which tends to be emotional and nostalgic at one moment, the next one he pushes his chords to a very operatic style of singing.The music is great.Nice arrangements with instant melodies, dynamic rhythm guitars, orchestral keyboards and a nice balance between heavy and laid-back textures with lots of elegant piano lines.The organ-based parts are also close to IL SEGNO DEL COMANDO or AKRON, having a very haunting approach.One thing the listener will starve for more is the instrumental diversity, as this is basically a vocal-driven album.On the other hand the mass of great atmospheres and the poetic mood of the album are certainly impressive with series of energetic musical palettes.

Absenthia still play live around the Vicenza area, but a second album is yet to be desired.

For fans of the more grandiose/pompous side of Progressive Rock.Well-crafted musicianship with top-class singing and a bunch of archaic soundscapes from the far past.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.