ANGELO SALUTANTE

Angelo Salutante is the debut full length studio album by Hungarian progressive metal band Stonehenge, who come from Veszprém, a relaitvely large town in the Western part of my country. Stonehenge was active in various incarnations since the early nineties, but they managed to release their debut studio album only in 2001, even if they were the opening band at the legendary 1997 concert of Psychotic Waltz in Budapest. For a debut this is a very consistent album of a quiet high quality, but Stonehenge were already rather experienced musicians in 2001. The music on Angelo Salutante can be described as melodic progressive metal, versatile songs, with sometimes quiet heav riffs. No coincidence that Balázs Bóta, guitarist and main composer of the band cites among his influences Meshuggah and Jeff Waters of Annihilator, beside Rush. The heavy riffs are nicely balanced by soft piano passages and occasional string parts and catchy choruses. All musicians are really good, and the vocals are great as well. In my opinion this music fits the voice of Zoltán Bátky better, than the music of After Crying. Don't get me wrong After Crying is a very nice band, but "BZ " is mainly a hard rock/ metal singer. For me the obvious higlights include Newcomer, that pretty much captures the main features of Stonehenge. Heavyness, some complexity, great melodies sensible lyrics. Another favourites of mine are Angels, Full Moon, Between Two Worlds, Rambing and Fly. Maybe this album is not as great as the best albums by Fates Warning, Psychotic Waltz, Dream Theater or Sieges Even, but it is a very good progressive metal record which I gladly recommend to any lover of thiskind of music, it deserves four big stars. In 2011 Stonehenge reunited with a line up, that almost identical with the line up of Angelo Salutante for some gigs, and even for writing and record new material. Well, guys what can I say? From the chorus of song Angels on Angelo Salutante: "Let the Angels give You a new Start!"