SANCTUS IGNIS

Are they the European counterpart to Symphony X?, I don't think so, it's more than that. They're born not as a response to someone or something else. They create a balance between harmony and a wise sense of their musical faculties manifesting the way they feel the music and not trying to be a vulgar copy.

Adagio is the musical concept from another disciple of the neo-classic treatment of electric guitar in last time, his name as some of you already know is Stephan Forté. A guitar virtuoso young promise from France (well, that was a decade ago) who could build a talented act, piece by piece for Sanctus Ignis' recording sessions.

Names like David Readman (main voice on German hard rock band Pink Cream 69), the veteran drummer from Holland Dirk Bruinemberg, the young skilled bassist Frank Hermanny (who's known for working not only in metal and progressive music, but also on jazz and pop music projects in France) and finally the man who's considered as the keyboard version of Yngwie Malmsteen (because of his speed, virtuosity, skill and both are from Sweden), Richard Andersson. They helped him to make his dream come true.

Sanctus Ignis was the first step into the professionalism in music for Stephan, but no one would imagine how powerful and ambitious his music would be. The record is highly enjoyable the most, they focus on existentialist topics in their lyrics, musically they develop a kind of 50/50, I mean, they distribute the melody and progressive marks as much as they give energy and virtuosity to each song.

Songs like "second sight", "in nomine", "sanctus ignis" and "paneut et circences" are authentic exercises of how to play classy prog-power metal while other tracks like "the inner road", "stringless violin" and specially "the seven lands of sin" take us through the complexity of guitar chords, catchy double bass changes, a remarkable work on keyboards and David Readman is taking the flag higher with every line helped by his plethoric voice.

Maybe I would say their only weak point (I must be honest about it) is the lack of originality, but who cares when stuff like this is made so well. To conclude this review I recommend you try to get the Japanese version, there you'll find a nice version of Led Zeppelin's immigrant song.

By: Epsilon.