DEVOTO

Alberto Piras(vocalist) related how the band had run out of steam after the release of "Imparis" some 8 years ago. So they took a long break and decided to make music that was less ambitious shall we say. And they succeeded in making a more straight forward record but that fire and emotion is still front and center. Piras says "We tried to compose easier songs, still full of emotion and intensity. We want our fans to feel our blood flowing on this record..." and you will. I find the music here to be so mysterious and I'm really drawn to the emotion and adventure that is on display here. There's quite a strong LED ZEPPELIN vibe that pops up at times, especially from the "Houses Of The Holy" period. Four guests help out mainly with horns.

"Devoted" has this cool little keyboard melody that's joined by a powerful and complex soundscape. Vocals follow. So good! Some strong organ runs come and go. This is actually catchy after 2 minutes. Violin before 3 1/2 minutes as the vocals step aside. How good is this! "Subterfuge" is only 1 1/2 minutes long but man I like the melancholy as the strings drone. Some crazy keyboard stuff here as well then back to the strings. "Multiverse" is uptempo and full of depth. The violin comes in over top and it will come and go. Love the calm before a minute, very LED ZEPPELIN-like as the vocals join in. How about that instrumental break from before 2 minutes to after 3 minutes. Man this is good. Check out the guitar before 5 minutes.

"Distracted By Me" sounds incredible at first, love that opening mood then the violin comes in followed by horns. Vocals and guitar take over as it settles before it builds with blasting horns, organ and more. It settles again as themes are repeated. A change before 4 minutes as a driving rhythm kicks in with some nasty organ. The vocals are back after 5 1/2 minutes followed by a guitar solo then blasting horns, bass, drums and synths. "Eternal Return" is uptempo with intricate guitar and violin mainly before vocals, violin and picked guitar take over quickly. Eventually we get more sounds, mandolin too. The guitar and violin take the spotlight after 2 1/2 minutes.

"More Equal" has a nice heavy guitar led start as the organ joins in then the tempo picks up and the vocals arrive. The vocals and organ stand out here. Powerful stuff. An instrumental break starts before 3 minutes and it includes some excellent guitar. Violin joins in around 4 minutes then the guitar led theme returns. It turns all instrumental, almost funky then organ comes to the fore before 7 minutes. A spacey section takes over including some electronics before the drums kick in along with some nasty synths before 9 minutes. "Transition" hits the ground running, lots of organ here. A LED ZEPPELIN vibe comes in before a minute then back to the organ but contrasts will continue. It settles some with vocals 2 minutes in then the violin starts to come and go. Another LED ZEPPELIN moment then the vocals turn passionate before 5 minutes before they step aside and the guitar solos. Ripping guitar from around 6 minutes to the end.

"Author Of The Future" features guitar expressions that echo as they come and go. The vocals arrive before a minute and they are relaxed, piano too. The vocals and sound become more powerful as the violin joins in. Themes are repeated. A real LED ZEPPELIN inspired section arrives just before 4 1/2 minutes then the vocals return as they rock hard until 5 minutes in when it calms right down. Some female vocals late. "Sons" has a really good drum intro then the horns, vocals and more join in. Some fast paced vocals will come and go. A violin solo starts before 3 minutes and check out the guitar/ drum section before 4 minutes. The violin follows lighting it up then the vocals return before 5 minutes. Some interesting guitar ends it. "Four Small Hands" is pretty much guitar throughout and it is impressive. The man can play!

This is such an adventerous band. They can let it rip with the best of them yet they always have great ideas. And it doesn't hurt having a vocalist like Alberto. Welcome back boys! I've read many opinions on this one and a lot of people feel this might be the best album they have ever done.