TERRAMARE

This one really threw me for a loop, I mean these guys should be in Neo-Prog as much as TOOL should. This is dark, heavy and at times atmospheric prog that would even fit under Post-Metal. There are Italian male vocals with some guest female vocals that are so impressive. Looking around the internet I was having trouble finding any reviews were as enthusiastic as I was until I found one on the Gnosis site.Thankyou !

"Bambina Regina" opens with gentle guitar followed by deep bass then a full sound kicks in with vocals. Kicking ass ! Fast paced riffs as he sings with passion. I like when it settles. Contrasts continue. Killer track ! "Rosa" opens with drums and this guitar that almost soars. Nice bass too. It calms down quickly as almost spoken vocals come in. Female vocals before a minute. Her name is Paola and she's amazing. This track is more laid back with the vocalists taking turns. A great instrumental sound 4 minutes in to end it. Love this track. "Diana" has a bombastic intro before vocals arrive a minute in with synths. This isn't as good as the first two songs. "Monsieur Verdoux" is a return to form with heavy riffs to open as vocals join in. A fairly aggressive and dark tune. Some backing female vocals then synths wash in after 2 minutes. Huge bass follows. Great tune ! "Mari" opens with synths and some atmosphere. Reserved vocals join in. They turn passionate 2 1/2 minutes in. Some nasty riffs before 4 minutes as vocals get emotional. Amazing sound 4 1/2 minutes in with ground shaking riffs and background synths. "Libera" is dark with restrained guitar and vocals. Heavy guitar before 1 1/2 minutes followed by fast paced vocals as the tempo picks up.

"Umbria" opens with keys and guitar sounds that fill the soundscape. Vocals a minute in. Great sound ! More deep bass lines. They're cooking again 3 minutes in. It's dark again with keys 4 minutes in. Bass and synths join in too. I really like this one. "Luminosa" sounds so beautiful to open with the laid back guitar and synths. Vocals before a minute as it starts to build. It calms down then hits the fan again after 3 minutes then settles back down to end it. "Metro" has a TOOL-like intro with the drums and fat bass lines as the guitar makes some noise over top. Vocals join in. Ripping guitar 3 minutes in. It gets pretty intense later. I love this stuff. "Contrasto Della Villanelia" is raw and heavy. Fast paced vocals come in. Check out the female vocals though ! This is where she shines as she just lets it rip vocally. Killer tune. "Piccolina" opens with high pitched sounds and synths as gentle guitar comes in then reserved vocals. It's building. Electric guitar before 3 1/2 minutes lights it up. Powerful song. "Terramare" just makes me laugh with those heavy guitar riffs and huge bass line as drums pound. Vocals come in spitting out the lyrics. It's a free for all ! Some atmosphere follows then the female vocals come in. Contrasts continue. An absolutely monster track !

4.5 stars from this Metal-head. A huge surprise.