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Artist: Flashback Of Anger |
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The
names of Matteo Bonini (rhythm guitar), Emanuele Giorgetti (Keyboards),
Giulio Carcato (lead Guitar) and Alessio Gori (Vocals) may not be
household names at the moment, but be sure as apples is apples they soon
will be as together they are the fresh faced young guns of the
Progressive Melodic Metal band Flashback Of Anger. 'Splinter
Of Life' is the bands debut release and is sure to send ripples around
the Metal community not only in their native Italy, but also throughout
the world where Metal is appreciated. The bands mix of powerful
keyboards and pulsating bass and drum lines surrounded by the tidal wave
of guitar licks, are some of the finest I’ve heard from a new and up
and coming band in this particular genre. The
album unleashes its power and might from the opener proper ‘All I
Have’, a five minute masterpiece that will feed those hungry for some
great Prog Metal with its soar-away keyboards and driving guitars, all
interlocked with a punishing rhythm section, with the final jigsaw piece
being the fantastically powerful yet melodic vocals of Gori. For
a debut release this album is just stunning. It has so many great
elements to it that it's hard to put it's splendor into words, but
I’ll give it my best shot. The
album continues it’s impressive path with the superb ‘Time Can
Answer’, again another Prog Metallers dream, big riffs and even bigger
choruses. Although the album isn’t a concept album it has that
flow about it mixing the harder edged metal with the towering melodic
overtures to great effect. Such
a soaring track has to be the excellent ‘A Void With In Me’, a great
track that fills the listeners head with so many different musical
layers each time you listen to it, you are able to pick up on something
new with every listen. The
band wouldn’t fit the criteria for a Progressive Meta band if they
didn’t have a few epic pieces in their repertoire and this album has
two such tracks, first of which is the title track ‘Splinters Of
Life’, a real masterclass in how a true Prog Metal track should sound.
This song has it all from majestic keyboards to mixed gentile and gruff
vocals, to the choral sections and orchestration. A real
masterpiece. From
the massive epic we go to a much shorter track with 'Strange Illusion',
but still as impressive again a big keyboard presence, but this one is
much more in the metal vein with the guitars further forward in the mix
again a great track. This
band are destined for greatness with this new album as it continues with
the gentle ‘Outer World’, which sees the gentle keys of Giorgetti
and the vocals of Gori only on this one. It's
back to the towering metal with ’Back In The Nightmare’ before the
second of those epic tracks make's its mighty presence felt in the form
of ‘Off With My Heart’. Another great grandiose piece full of
great guitar licks and massive bass lines. Then the final epic and
album closer and my personal favourite off the album ‘Flashback Of
Anger’. Simply a great way to end what is a fantastic debut
release and one that is a must buy if you're into any Progressive or
Symphonic Metal, or even if you just want to hear some god damn fine
musicianship. |
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Tracklisting: 1. By
The Gates Of My Dreams
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