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Brought out of a self imposed period of hibernation by a call from Frontiers Music, Italian power/progressive metal pioneers Labyrinth are back with their first album in seven years. Frontiers must be pretty damn persuasive, as prior to their hiatus, the band were enduring a revolving door policy involving various band members. So, after a reunion at the Frontiers Metal Festival in 2016, we have a new album – ‘Architecture Of A God’. Founding members Olaf Thorsen and Andrea Cantarelli have once again teamed up with long term vocalist Roberto Tiranti to turn back the clock to the glory days of the classic ‘Return To Heaven Denied’ album. Older and wiser, the band haven’t tinkered too much with the classic Labyrinth sound, no immediate change in style. The power is still evident, as are the prog moments, opener ‘Bullets’ is testimony to that. Galloping drums, ‘Rainbow Rising’ keyboards, shredding guitars, and Tiranti’s trademark emotional vocals. The melodic aspect of the band’s sound is everywhere, even on a track like ‘Still Alive’, which features some air guitar-tastic solos. In some ways, Tiranti has always reminded me of Joe Lynn Turner, smooth and, dare I say, romantic, ‘A New Dream’ being a good example. Beginning like a stereotypical melodic “power ballad”, it quickly gains momentum as the band lock in. Tiranti croons just as well as the best American melodic rock vocalists as he pours his heart out. The guitar breaks are poignant, with the acoustic chords that see the song out being particularly effective. ‘Someone Says’ is another fine slice of melodic rock, but it’s the guitar solos that give the song it’s edge, the dual guitars working to great effect. ‘Random Logic’ serves as a quiet interlude, before the title track, as Oleg Smirnoff shines with an atmospheric piano piece, the perfect calm before the storm. ‘Architecture Of A God’ ramps up the progressive aspects of the Labyrinth sound, a pounding bass drum from John Macaluso mixed with delicate picking from his cohort, Nick Mazzucconi. Tempo changes by the dozen, from silence to a scream, light to dark, everything that an epic progressive metal track should be. The inclusion of a metalized version of the instrumental trance classic ‘Children’ might seem like a strange choice, but it actually works really well. Composed by Italian compatriot Robert Miles, it’s a fun few minutes that allows the band members to flex their muscles. After the AOR-tinged ‘Those Days’ and ‘We Belong To Yesterday’, the power returns on the bombastic ‘Stardust And Ashes’. Macaluso sure earns his crust with the shift he puts in during these five minutes! Tiranti sounds in great voice. The lay off seems to have had no adverse effect at all. It’s great to have him back… great to have Labyrinth back! ‘Architecture Of A God’ is available now through Frontiers Music Review: Dave Stott ]]>
