THE DANCE OF LIGHT AND SHADE

20 well-made songs in total, with a running time of nearly 110 minutes. I'm absolutely overwhelmed now. The band's debut EP, released in 2010, already is showing their talent. Hence I would say that solely the vocals contributed by Marco Ciancaglini are inevitably improved on 'The Dance Of Light And Shade'. So much enchanting stuff to find here and now. And a clever concept first of all. Probably even a bit too clever, too much of a good thing at once. One will detect different views about that, I'm quite sure. They easily could divide both discs into separate albums, without losing any quality standards on each side. In any case here we have a fantastic production overall. They let it rock with ease. Nice incorporated samples, four short interludes are filled with quite differing impressions from atmospheric space to traditional folk.

Exemplified by Aeons maybe, this appears to me like a modern rock opera somehow, due to a theatrical feel coming up overall. Entirely self-produced a real essential thing, technically flawless moreover. Six musicians at work as the core, plus some external keyboard and vocal support. This means, except drums and keys, a nearly stable line-up over the last decade. They are providing highly melodic heavy prog music, surely bordering to metal here and there, though equipped with a wider stylistical range, for example including ambient and psychedelic elements. It's a heavy load to point out particular songs. Let me continue with Danse Macabre anyhow. For some time I was annoyed by this Clare Torry reminiscent female vocals referring to 'The Great Gig In The Sky' towards the end. As I often enough stumbled upon such tries in recent times.

Well, to make it clear for good, this affects a very short episode, should be seen as a real side note. Nessun problema anymore. A fantastic composition in any case. Furthermore both Waking Dreams episodes are belonging to the top of the best here. Regarding such a full load given, there is some danger of fatigue symptoms coming up probably, the second part of the album may be unwantedly underestimated. As noted before, there is no downfall to state though. Nightbringer again and again makes my day. You simply have to reserve enough time for this issue, basta. A very very entertaining excursion through diverse prog meadows over the course. No filler, everything is on a high level. Now coming to a final conclusion, sum of the aforementioned + astonishing + exceptional = perfect.