THE KEY

Italian band AMAZE KNIGHT was formed back in 2010 by Christian Dimasi (guitars) and Michele Scotti (drums), shortly after joined by Fabrizio Aseglio (vocals) and Matteo Cerantola (bass). They hit the recording studio in 2011, and with the aid of Max Tempia on keyboards assembled their debut album "The Key", which was made available as a free download in 2012.

Progressive metal is the name of the game by this Italian quartet, and following fairly closely in the tradition of veteran band Dream Theater at that. Although this band does have a bit more going for them than many other bands described in such a manner, the fact that their compositions are a tad more structurally sophisticated than many other bands exploring this type of progressive metal arguably the most important part of it.

Amaze Knight have a fairly good lead vocalist in Fabrizio Asegli. He's got good control of his voice, and is able to convey gentler moods as well as more powerful and dramatic ones without resorting to more uncontrolled modes of delivery. His English needs a bit improvement if this band wants to hit the international scene in a big way, but a fine lead vocalist that avoids the siren shrieks or other modes of expression vocalists may opt for when out of their range one way or the other.

Drummer Scotti and bassist Cerantola are both quality acts from what I can tell, and guitarist Dimasi is an able and talented guy catering for frail textures, dramatic solo runs and grinding riffs all with the same ease, and combines well with rhythm section and keyboardist both. Recording keyboardist Tempia does a good job as well with the various modes of keyboards utilized. From wandering frail piano textures and majestic supplemental organ textures to symphonic backdrops gentle and supplemental in scope to rich, layered impact constructions.

Multiple themes and plenty of alterations in pace and intensity are trademark features of the material Amaze Knight have crafted for their debut album. Grinding riff cascades supplemented by symphonic backdrops or intense organ, light and elegant guitar solo runs backed by subtle keyboard textures or harmonizing with more upfront and energetic ones of a similar mode, slow and majestic passages as well as uptempo, compact and driving ones. But always with room for sequences of a more careful nature too, plucked gentle guitar passages with or without careful keyboard details, standalone wandering piano motifs or smooth inserts with more of a cinematic nature to them. And with the concluding composition Liberation (A New Day) we're also treated to a fine example of how to gradually develop a song from a frail, ballad-oriented initial phase to a rich, majestic and fairly dramatic ending.

Italian band Amaze Knight have made themselves a fine, high quality debut album with "The Key", featuring five epic length or close to epic length compositions that explores the grounds first made popular by Dream Theater, without becoming too derivative. As this album has been made available as a legally free download, those who tend to enjoy music of this kind should know their visiting time.