TERRA INCOGNITA

The second album of the band followed the first one after a quite short period of time, but for the third we had to wait almost 3 years. In the meantime the band split up and was reformed, they got a record deal with a U.S. label and the new line-up released their first album with English lyrics. But the record contained only old songs which were re-recorded. But we had a chance to hear what the new vocalist is capable of. And if he did not disappoint on that record he wont do it here either.

The sound is somewhere near to what they had on "Abraxas" but somehow the new singer brings a fresh breath to the band. His voice is at home both in the lower and higher regions and is able to express very different states. The other new members (bass and drums) integrated themselves well in the band, and the old duo guitar and keyboards, well, they just perform at the usual high level. The keyboard being the essential part of each and every song providing a kinda frame to the songs, but when called upon delivers inspired solos. Fabian Zoli's guitar is the leading instrument in this symphony, but he already proved that he is a gifted musician on the previous releases. His melody lines and solos as great as ever.

In comparison to the previous records one can notice that the songs got more complex, not all of them hit from the very beginning, but after a while each songs proves to be worth spending more time listening to it. They will reward your patience in their own way, providing you some really magical moments. In spite of all their complexity and length the songs are still very compact and well constructed, they are just as long as they should be.

With their concept album "Terra Incognita" the band is not at all traveling on unknown realms. It is the realm of progressive magic, and they prove once again that they are the masters of it. In the end it must be said that the album was worth waiting for.