Evil

If I'm not mistaken this is Time Machine's (an Italian band) sixth album, and yet I never heard of them. Sometimes excellent bands stay in the dark, while other less talented bands attract more attention. Maybe this is due to the label, the bigger the label, the greater the promotion can be. One thing is certain, I'm gonna check their past albums as soon as I can get my hands on them. This album is a real slap in the face, a demonstration of emotional Power/Prog Metal. The album is absolutely fabulous, reminding me the best of the Power Metal mixed with the best of some of the bigger Prog acts, especially Dream Theater. But the music is just a bit progressive, not many solo demonstrations and rhythms change every 2 minutes, but a more subtle progressive touch. The guitars are excellent, strong sharp riffs, with technical and melodic solos that will haunt your dreams. The singer is quite good, reminding me LaBrie on a few occasions. I don't think he dispose of a big range of vocal abilities (no high pitch screams or other technical tricks), but he uses his vocal smartly, adding a lot of sweetness and emotion to the songs and somehow sounding just perfect for the overall sound. The keyboards and especially the orchestration are amazing, adding such depth and atmosphere to the songs of this concept album about Evil. The choirs, singing in Latin, are simply amazing, one of the best I've heard in a long long time. The overall sounding melodic to the bones and emotion packed. And I believe that this is the key to Time Machine's music, every musical notes flowing in the air is triggering a strong emotion to the listener, plugging him deeper into the musical ambiance and concept. Only a few bands are able to deliver such full blast of emotions, and Time Machine is sure one of them. Songs like Where's My Heaven, Army Of The Dead or the incredible duet with a female vocalist on Evil Lies will send shivers down your spine at first listens. But every song on that album is a killer ! The production is mind blowing, especially for an Italian band, it's actually approaching the perfect production quality of the last Edguy (Mandrake). An excellent surprise, from which I still haven't recovered yet. The CD isn't leaving my CD player, over and over again. If you like emotionally intense music, melodic Power Metal and Progressive music, then you'll soon have to add this true masterpiece to your list of jewels. The absolute perfect way of closing this year, with one of the best release and definitely one of the biggest surprises of the year. Buy or die !!!!