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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

(Archangel)- "The Akallabeth"

Label -NA
Reviewed by:

Erik Neuteboom

www.progwalhalla.com

Genre:
Prog
Country:
Italy
Length:
NA
Release Date:
5/1/09
Band Members: Gabriele Dario Manzini (Ubi Maior) Piano, Hammond, Mellotron, Synth e Stun Guitar Vocals - Damian Wilson,Zachary Stevens,Ted Leonard,Gianluigi Girardi,Mario Moi,Gianluigi Girardi,Francesca "Elayne" Naccarelli,Cristina Gullo
  Guitar - Stefano Mancarella- (Ubi Maior) Ettore Salati- (Alex Carpani Band, The Watch)- Alessandro Dovì (Winter Mist) Bass - Gualtiero "Wego" Gorreri (Ubi Maior)- Emiliano Laglia (Heaven in Black, Bon Jovi Tribute Band)-Marco Schembri (The Watch)
  Drums- Davide Martinelli (Darksky, Winter Mist)- Alessandro Di Caprio (Ubi Maior)  
     
Track Listing: 1.)-Gift of Love 9.)-Red Clouds War
  2.)-The Forbidding 10.)-The Downfallen
  3.)-Shades of Númenor 11.)-Lidless Eye
  4.)-See Myself in You 12.)-The Price
  5.)-Rings of Power  
  6.)-Raise the Sword  
  7.)-Power Within  
  8.)-The Faithful and the Faithless Ones  

Review:

This is the first solo CD by Italian keyboard player Gabriele Manzini who joined The Watch between 2000 and 2005 and now is a member of Ubi Maior that just (mid 2009) released their excellent second album entitled Senza Tempo. Gabriele has invited known singers Damian Wilson (Threshold. Landmarq, Ayreon, Rick Wakeman), Zachary Stevens (Savatage between 1993 and 2000) and Ted Leonard (Enchant) along a wide range of guest musicians, including his friends of Ubi Maior and several ex-members of The Watch.

- In comparison with his band Ubi Maior, the sound of Archangel on The Akallabeth is more in the realm of Heavy Prog and melodic rock. The 12 songs on The Akallabeth are very tastefully arranged with strong vocal contributions, splendid harder-edged guitarwork and wonderful work on a wide range of vintage keyboards. These elements remind me of the sound of fellow Dutchman Arjen Lucassen with his project Ayreon (especially the 2-CD The Electric Castle) but less bombastic and less focussed on guitar. In my opinion Gabriele is also a more elaborate composer, just listen to the strongly build-up The Shade Of Numenor (exciting blend of sparkling Grand piano and propulsive guitar riffs, a sensitive electric guitar solo and finally fiery guitar runs with floods of Hammond organ), Raise The Sword and Lidless Eye (Hammond, Moog and Mellotron time!), the wonderful ballads Power Within (from acoustic rhythm guitar with violin-Mellotron to a great Minimoog solo) and Red Clouds War (from dreamy with tender piano and soaring keyboards to a slow rhythm with an awesome Mellotron sound and a Minimoog solo with heavy guitar riffs), the compelling and varied The Downfall: 39 Days Of Madness (strong contribution by Damian Wilson and majestic choir-Mellotron drops) and the compelling final composition The Price (from dreamy with piano and warm vocals to a slow rhythm with a sensitive guitar solo and finally a bombastic part featuring choir-Mellotron, emotional vocals and moving guitar solo, goose bumps!). -

An album to discover if you like Heavy Prog and keyboard-oriented melodic rock, I am sure that especially the fans of Ayreon and Uriah Heep will be pleased with the sound of Archangel, this music deserves more attention!

www.progwalhalla.com

 

 

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