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Review:
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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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