ONIRIKA

As usual, this band has very few reviews for one of his albums (two with comments before mine). It is a pity because the band deserves a better exposure. Even if their debut and follow-up albums couldn't thrilled me (to say the least), the following works were quite good. "Transizione" was my favourite of their efforts so far.

The band got back to long tracks again, which is fine since their best work was almost made of two very good epics.

Needless to say that the music you will discover in this album has lots of Italian flavours. Actually, from "Antiche Impressioni" onwards, their musical style has more to share with Italian symphonic than rather just symphonic rock IMO. The addition of vocals is of course not alien to this feeling.

This album is easy to listen to: music is at times atmospheric or symphonic; both genres interplaying nicely with each other. As many Italian bands, their vocal parts are usually well crafted and melodic. They even hired a special guest in the form of Gianna Chilà to bring more diversity to this "instrument". She is convincingly singing in Il Giardino Di Petra.

If ever you are a lover of superb guitar breaks, I am sure that the finale of "Onrika" will please you as I do. It is the best part of this long track, which is somewhat disappointing.

I have to say that "Il Giardio Di Pi" doesn't belong to the best of the band either. The music is pleasant, but the keys aren't too sophisticated; they are too conventional and not so inspired. Again, a brilliant guitar solo to close this number comes at the rescue. The same can be said about the last song from this album (the keys, the guitar etc.).

I feel something is missing in here. The whole is pleasant and (too) gentle. No surprise and conventional. A calm symphony all the way through. Three stars.