JEKYLL AND HYDE

'Jekyll And Hyde' ... eh, is there anybody out there who will question, that this is pointing to a concept album in waiting position? Anyway, Rock Progressivo Opera may be a proper label for this one, at least concerning some parts. REVERSAL SYMMETRY is another outfit from Italy recently arriving with a full load of new hot songs which are heavy art rock and metal bordering. Stevenson's novell has been utilized as a thematical template often enough in the past, and this won't be the last time for sure. A reason to complain? 'The Evil Inside' ... much dramaturgy given means a lot, and finally, when the related music is able to convince?

The band is hailing from Rome, born from the ashes of Layra, concretely speaking of three members surviving, vocalist Moreno Sangermano representing Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde on this occasion, as well as Fabio Vitale (guitars) and Matteo Ferretti (keyboards). According to the story the album is composed of two substantially different discs: the white and the dark side. Staying for other characters and partially featuring a distinct opera style three additional vocalists are aboard too. REVERSAL SYMMETRY are immediately starting with the highlight Henry's Mirror - ah! this exceptional symbiosis of Sangermano's emotional voice and Vitale's melancholic guitar occasionally gives me the shivers, yeah, really!

This is partially slipping into AOR furthermore, but they are back to track in due time with the dramatic Eternal Void. Showing some symphonic impulse the extended Henry's Choice then closes the first partition. I would say when entering the dark stage with the excellent The Smell Of Rain this is even more pleasing overall when it comes to the compositional aspect. The Anomalies suite then is offering quite differing moods from charming to vehemence, even provided with some tolerable growls. A 90 minute lasting well made rock opera, would be interesting to follow this live on the stage. As their performances are in fact characterized by a remarkable theatrical component, through costumes, choreography, and video projections. Recommended to those of you who are grounded in narrative heavy rock.