:: reCycled :: has been reviewed by Sea Of Tranquillity.org
«…Rush are an influence, but then so are Asia, Journey and Dream Theater and while not all of these ideas are weaved into all of the four original songs on this EP, the clash of genre styles does hold the interest. “Eyes On You” finds the three piece of Tiziano Fabiani (drums), Massimo Arke (guitar) and Massimo Cillo (bass, vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, rhythm guitar, bass pedals, mandolin, percussion, kitchen sink and whatever else he can lay his over worked hands on) spitting out a sharp riff that sits somewhere between Vanden Plas and Pagan’s Mind. Add some flouncyish keyboards a wailing Prog Metal guitar solo and Cillo’s overly effects ladened voice and the mix is rather heady. It is also catchy as hell and damn good fun! Emphasising the point further “Don’t Throw Your Heart” dazzles with Proggy guitar scales and intricate arrangements during its verse, before taking a sharp left into a simply constructed sing along chorus. The instrumentation on both songs is crisp, sharp and impressive, with the guitars leaving a lasting impression, the bass roaming and rampaging, while Fabiani’s kit gets a fair workout. Bringing a far greater AOR sheen to proceedings, “Angel Of The City” eschews much of the Proggier side of things to head into Rush-lite via Journey. I have to say as a fan of both bands – and the genres they cover, Canada might well be onto something here. Although whether another act from the country these Italians hold so dear, Saga, haven’t already beaten them too it, is open to conjecture. “Never Surrender” belies its Rush leanings right from the “YYZ” styled chimes intro, with the nod being further emphasised via an Alex Lifeson like guitar solo and the fact the song remains vocal less…»
by Steven Reid – www.seaoftranquillity.org
Tags: 80s italian metal, AOR, Prog rock, progressive rock