ARC8

My first exposure to Italian band ARCADELT was their CD 'Enjoypan' (2009), after which I've been waiting to hear its successor for a quite long time. In May 2019, the lineup of quintet is still comprised of Pierfrancesco Drago (lead vocals), Fabrizio Verzaschi (guitars), Giacomo Vitullo (key department), Fabio Cifani (bass) and Sandro Piras (drums). How their new release sounds alike? Stylistically, 'Arc8' maintains firmly in the melodic neoprog-rock camp, but with a healthy dose of moodiness. The music is full of keyboard flourishes supplemented by miraculous guitar work alongside the bass courtesy and nimbleness of drums; the peculiar vocal contributions swirl in the rich orchestration. This continues throughout the entire album. The quality of seven compositions, arrangements and performances features the excellent production that will strike the listener from the first play. I want to start by saying that 'Behind The Curtain' together with 'The Heartbeat' may be described as a homage to Fish-era Marillion. Helping to add a sense of variety to the music, the intense piece 'Dogs In Chains' demonstrates the edgy singing, fiery guitar excursions and tight rhythmic backbone. Either way, going through some ups and downs, this song fits well within the cohesive whole. Then, Arcadelt have succeeded with the forth track. Entertaining 'Caledonia (The Inn Of Happiness)' provides somewhat theatrical slant. To convey special kind of feeling, a lovely ballad 'Assenze' is colored by gentle piano and heartfelt vocal performance on native Italian tongue. The penultimate, dramatically sounding 'Blood On' is another throwback to the early 80's, with 'Script For A Jester's Tear' / 'Misplaced Childhood' vibe as the principal reference point. And finally, 'The Blue Side' which also has a typical Marillion signature. All in all, it's difficult not to get pulled into the enigmatic musical alchemy that floods with a plenty of hypnotic ingredients. There's so much feeling here that CD 'Arc8' should become a truly emotional experience. Check it out.

Yet another "one-off" returns after a lengthy absence, this one a more traditional neo prog group with the genetic advantage of a romantic slant. That the band remains intact is a wonder, but unfortunately it sounds like may have resurrected the same producer as on their debut "Enjoy". No matter, "Arc8" is far superior if, as before, entirely derivative.

The opener and closer are scattered and entirely FISHILLION-esque but the meat in the middle more than makes up for that. While "The Heartbeat" does point to some of the more endearing aspects of "Misplaced Childhood", they also blend in allusions to more obscure acts like ERIS PLUVIA, AISLES, and CLEPSYDRA, particularly in "Caledonia", the mainspring of the entire album. The sharp accents in the spoken, and come to think of it, many of the sung parts by the Jon Anderson influenced Pierfrancesco Drago, are more endearing than distracting, especially when the subsequent instrumental breaks showcase the newfound comfort with lead guitar and synth bursts. While string substitution is sprinkled throughout this epic, they form the basis for the elegant ballad "Assenze", sung in Italian as it had to be. A couple of hard rock diversions generate mixed results but do represent a diversification of the group's approach that enhances the whole. The stronger of these is "Blood On", with cleverly fitful and frenetic phrasings on old school organ to go with the metallic guitars.

I'm not sure if "Arc8" closes the sparsely populated ARCADELT loop but it surely makes their minor legacy a bit harder to dismiss. Recommended to neo prog Europhiles