LE PORTE DEL SILENZIO

3.5 stars.This album is very much a tale of two halves in my opinion. The first half is good but fails to capture my imagination, i'm not sure why they decided to sing in English on the first two tracks either. Still it's quite enjoyable, especially the flute.The second half is actually the side long title track. They sing in Italian and the highlight is the guitar to end this over 27 minute track.

Things get started with "Livin' Alone" which features some good contrasts and tempo changes. I like the flute and synths to open. Sax before 5 minutes followed by vocals for the first time. Pretty good tune. "I Know Your Soul" has lots of piano, flute and drums early. Vocals a minute in. A change after 2 1/2 minutes and I like the guitar a minute later. It's an ok song. "Libero" is where we hear Italian vocals for the first time. Some excellent soaring guitar before 3 minutes, vocals follow. Some more nice flute then the tempo picks up before 7 minutes with sax to end it. "Nel Labirinto" is a short instrumental with some cool guitar melodies throughout.

"Le Porte Del Silenzio" is the closing title track. A good atmosphere thanks to the synths early. The guitar cries out followed by vocals 2 1/2 minutes in. The guitar is back a minute later. I like the vocals that follow, they have some passion to them. Piano takes over 5 1/2 minutes in then flute joins in. Lots of synths and flute then those vocals return 11 1/2 minutes in.This sounds so good. A calm with keyboards follows. It picks back up then vocals return 18 1/2 minutes in. Guitar leads the way 20 1/2 minutes in. Flute 22 minutes in as it settles. It kicks back in with scorching guitar 23 1/2 minutes in. Vocals a minute later. I like it. More guitar creates an incredible finish.

I really like the title track, it's such a ride ! Overall though 3.5 stars seems right.