That's right. Despite I usually need nitro-injected tunes to keep myself alive, I couldn't do without the pindaric and LSD-like shivers and fantasy leaps that epic metal vibes give me. And I'll tell you, there are bands with huge balls out there. Following you will find some very nice epic treasures... all from Italy, one of the last places on earth where you would have looked for it, don't you?
WOTAN-Epos (2007)
It's from last year. The band is not very prolific (2 albums only in the long time span of their existence), but what you get is worth the wait. The singer's got the numbers for the task, together with a very unusual vibrato-voice (I like it quite a bit). Not very high-pitched, as it may call for - if we want. All mid tempo tracks, except for one, that will kick your ass less epically, leaving some very nice scar. A bounch of very interesting sounds & effects inside will unleash your imagination and in no time you will be catapulted to a Conan the Barbarian-like world... while stomping your feet, air-drumming, and banging your dick-head! Just kidding! Lovely!
HOLY MARTYR-Hellenic Warior Spirit (2008)
Clearly inspired to 300 movie, it is a bit less grabbing than Wotan's one (more than mid-tempo it's a realy heavy-ass tempo), but lyrics and pathos are worked out in very fine concept. The singer hasn't all that epic scream - if we have to be honest - but that doesn't turn out as a diminishing point: after all not-epic metalheads may not like that acute and chorus-like singing typical of the thread. Musicianship is up to the task with very brilliant moments (The Lions of Sparta, H'Tan H'Epi Tas). Yet, on the whole, the "seriousness" of the concept behind, without a single real shake to the bag, may get you bored a bit.
DARK QUARTERER-Symbols (2008)
Dont underestimate the power of the dark side! These are fu*cking killer dudes who eat any musician in the thread (and outside) in a single bite! Creators of the epic-progressive, if you don't know them already, prepare yourself for the trip of your life into serious epic music. Sound and perfection fanatics, they deliver you abounch of tunes so rich and subtle that it may take months for you to unfold, digest and appreciate all they've put inside. The singer & bassist Gianni Nepi, has got a quite unique voice: apparently it doesn't stand out at all, at first listen. Then little by little it start carving deep cuts in your ears, swinging between high-pitched screams and that freaky incredible epic acute singing needed. Check out the following live performance, from previous albums material...
Have fun!
