January 16, 2009

ITALIAN BOOTY

CLAIRVOYANTS-Word to the Wise (2009)



Giving a break to the Japanese metal thread, I'll introduce you this one, the first full-lenght album from Italian Clairvoyants. Those of you familiar with Maiden would not have missed the connection, I am sure ("Clairvoyant" is indeed one of the new classics of Maiden, from Seventh Son... album).
The band originated in 2001 around Como explicitly as a Maiden tribute band and quickly imposed itself through a qualitative job as well as the participation to the several Maiden tribute conventions around Italy and Europe also with big-ass
guests such as Timo Kotipelto, Blaze Bayley, Doro Pesch, Jorn Lande, David De Feis, Edward Pursino, Andre Matos, Dennis Stratton.
Yet this is their first orignal work (and to distinguish it from the previous activity they used the same moniker but with a different logo). Despite not offering a Maiden copy-cat work, you will not miss a bit of that atmosphear in this album. It is indeed a pack of well arranged melodic-metal tunes (some rockish influences here and there), where singing and guitar work play the lion's share. No synth or keyboards. All the background color is painted on this canvas by their simple guitar work. NWOBHM fan will also find bread for their teeth here: influences are evident.
It is a lovely album, well-mixed & produced, with a slick sounding rack of tracks and very obvious talent. It may not carve deep scars into the metal scene, but it is by no means to be ignored.

Absolutely to try: "The pain of sight", "Hallowed be thy name"!

Check out what a great cover of "Brave New World"!

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