PENTESILEA ROAD

Pentiselea Road is the project of Italian multi-instrumentalist Vito Mainolfi, which has included high-profile collaborators such as Ray Alder and Mark Zonder from Fates Warning. Today, after two albums, the band features Michele Guaitoli, Vito F. Mainolfi, Giovanni Montesano, Ezio Di Leso, and Alfonso Mocerino.

Pentiselea Road's music moves between heavy prog and neo-prog, with strong influences from power metal. On Sonnets from the Drowsiness, the band sounds more progressive than on their debut, leaning closer to the style of neo-prog acts like Arena, while at the same time delivering a heavier, more intense sound.

Despite having a style that has been widely explored by other bands, Pentiselea Road manages to sound very original, with a clean and pristine production where each instrument is allowed to breathe and expand freely.

The album's 18 tracks, spanning over 1 hour and 40 minutes, delve into themes of modern dissidence, societal critique, and introspection. For instance, the track "Worlds Apart" addresses issues like deception, conformity, and the struggle for individuality in a controlled society. The lyrics question concepts of reality, democracy, and collective identity, reflecting a deep narrative thread throughout the album.

Sonnets from the Drowsiness it's a concept album inspired by Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, taking the listener on a post-progressive journey through imagined landscapes and existential themes. The careful production and literary depth make it a rewarding listen for fans of thoughtful, modern progressive rock.