IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE

I'm sure I wasn't the only one scrambling to find out where I could purchase this album after Torodd's review.The attraction of course is that the former vocalist for MUSEO ROSENBACH is part of this new band from Genova, Italy. By the way he is outstanding but what impressed me the most with this album was the keyboard work from Elisa who plays as good as she looks. She is lights out. I was reading her bio and she lists a lot of Prog bands as influences including many RPI bands along with ANGLAGARD, BLACK SABBATH, OPETH etc. The ANGLAGARD mention was no surprise as I thought of them several times with her fantastic playing.

"Verso L'alba" is a fairly heavy instrumental that opens with the organ upfront and in your face.Then the synths take over for the organ in this amazing opener. "Insolita Parte Di Me" has a good uptempo intro that reminds me of ANGLAGARD then it settles in before 1 1/2 minutes and vocals come in for the first time. Gulp. Nice bass then what sounds like mellotron 3 1/2 minutes in then it kicks back in with synths, drums and bass outfront.Then it lightens some as the guitar and piano lead. "Boccadasse" is another solid and powerful start. It settles some then reserved vocals join in. It turns powerful again. I like the instrumentals section before 4 minutes then the vocals return. "Le Due Meta Delle Notte" opens with piano and a beat as reserved vocals join in. Both the sound and vocals become more passionate. It kicks in hard instrumentally before 3 1/2 minutes to the end. Nice.

"La Stanza Nascota" opens with laid back piano and vocals. Some violin on this track too. Check out the powerful atmosphere that floods in before 4 1/2 minutes. Spoken words follow. "Danza Esoterica Di Datura" opens with lots of atmosphere then the sounds of someone walking in water ? The music kicks in with power before settling again as these contrasts continue. "Faldistorium" builds and it sounds like mellotron 2 minutes in. So good. Vocals come in after 3 minutes and they are spoken. Some nice bass before 4 1/2 minutes as well. "L'attesa" has a powerful intro then vocals arrive around a minute. It turns instrumental only with synths then piano. Vocals after 3 1/2 minutes return to end it. "Il Centro Sottile" is a piano led tune with vocals. It's okay but for the longest track it's a bit of a disappointment.

A solid 4 stars. While this album does reach some highs that makes me think 5 stars, there are some songs that are far from from that same elevation.