REALMS OF ETERNITY

What a pleasant surprise this album was. I did enjoy the debut but I felt it could have been better, well "Realms Of Eternity" is what I call A LOT better. Carl Baldassarre the lead guitarist and vocalist wrote all the lyrics, and considering his personal faith there is a strong Christian flavour to the lyrics. This album is the whole package though, i've just enjoyed it immensly this past week.

"Darkfield" features guest vocalsist Mark Boals who sings on 3 other tracks as well. I love this song. It's about temptation and brings in the Garden of Eden (Paradise). This is just so well done. Some guest cello in the intro and chunky bass a minute in. Yearning vocals follow. Check out the guitar 3 1/2 minutes in and the mournful synths that remind me of RUSH. Speaking of RUSH i'm reminded of Lifeson as the guitar comes in at 5 minutes. Nice bass 6 1/2 minutes in. I like the drumming late as well. Fantastic tune. Dark and melancholic. "Vanitas" is SYZYGY putting on an instrumental show early. It turns classical then kicks in around 3 minutes. Great sound right here ! Check out the drum work. "Dreams" opens with synths,piano and lazy guitar melodies. Kind of spacey actually before it kicks in around a minute. This is nice and heavy. Vocals 2 minutes in as it settles. A GENTLE GIANT vibe here. It's fuller on the chorus. Love the mournful guitar after 7 minutes. Vocals are back late. "Echoes Remain" features these beautiful acoustic guitar melodies as reserved vocals and cello join in. Lots of flute in this one as well. A mellow tune. "Dialectic" is laid back with synths early. Vocals follow and the sound gets fuller. It settles after 3 1/2 minutes as contrasts continue. Raw guitar 5 1/2 minutes in as it kicks in heavier. Nice bass and organ. I like the guitar 9 minutes in too. It turns jazzy. Great sound after 11 1/2 minutes with synths. Chunky bass 13 1/2 minutes in then it turns mellow, almost spacey with strummed acoustic guitar and vocals that sing over and over "Like seasons are inclined. We need change to help us find. How old becomes anew. And it's all because of you".

"Arranmore Isle" is pastoral with acoustic guitar melodies and theremin. "Overture" is a SPOCK'S BEARD-like tune. This is fun with the organ,fat bass and the guitar making lots of noise. Yes the drumming is incredible. "The Sea" opens with piano as a full sound comes and goes. Vocals too. Samples late. "The Mourning Song" features these strummed acoustic guitar melodies as percussion joins in then synths. Reserved vocals follow. I like it. "Variations Part 1" and "Variations Part 2" are both highlights instrumentally and the vocal arrangements recall GENTLE GIANT on part 1. Both songs are a blast with the growly bass, pounding drums and prominant keyboards. "Reflections" opens with strummed acoustic guitar as drums then vocals join in. Kind of sad yet uplifting. It blends into "Finale" where it gets fuller. Check out the bass ! Guitar comes ripping in as the drums pound it out. I like when the synths come in around a minute.The guitar solo is just a beauty as it goes on and on. It ends with the vocals passionately singing "I wonder if the tale is true. Cross the sea where i'll find you. Smiles a-waiting on the shore. Loved ones joyful evermore".

Easily 4 stars and highly recommended.