MERGING CLUSTER

MERGING CLUSTER is a progressive and alternative music entity that has been dormant since 2014 and ten years is a long time if you haven't heard from the musicians, the title of the album is therefore more telling than a long speech. 'Ephemeral peak of light'. The origin of the project dates back to the winter of 2010 and the meeting of two former members of BIOFONIA (author of an album in 2005 "La Stanza - Anno 1"), Gabriele MARCONCINI (vocals) and Emiliano GALLI (keyboards) joined first by Gianfilippo INNOCENTI (guitars) and Roberto MANZANI (bass), the line up being completed a little later by Marco CASALINI (drums).

This "Peak of Ephemeral Light" includes the four tracks from the 2014 EP remixed and remastered, augmented by four new pieces for a work that exceeds sixty-eight minutes; note that the four original tracks were placed consecutively on the album (2/3/4/5) and in the same order as at the time. Let's start with the four rearranged pieces, the eponymous "Peak of Ephemeral Light" more rock than really progressive, with a rhythmic pair who brilliantly lead the affair (the sound recording of the bass and drums is remarkable), the guitar by Gianfilippo INNOCENTI being aggressive (in the good sense of the word), the keyboards of Emiliano GALLI more in the background except in the finale on the organ (8/10). Conversely "Subjective Doubles Syndrome", the longest piece on the record (by just a little) puts Emiliano in the spotlight in its introductory part, the six strings are very present but softer than in the previous track until 3:00 minutes, then more nervous while remaining melodic thereafter, the powerful singing of Gabriele MARCONCINI (with perfect English diction for an Italian vocalist) ensuring the necessary foundation for a great piece of progressive heavy music (10/10) ultimately quite close to metal.

The following title "Gift Undeserved", all restrained (music as vocals) until 4:00, reminded me of the heyday of the British airship, a piece at the crossroads again, alternative progressive in a way which turns out to be oh so brilliant and pleasant (10/10) with a sparkling six string players, certainly my favorite track of the entire work. "The Shadow Line", the last rearranged piece from 2014, plows the same furrows of progressive alterno rock with a more metal touch after the middle of the piece, although Emiliano GALLI's keyboards are on an equal footing with the guitar in fusion (like the name of the group!) by Gianfilippo INNOCENTI (9/10), it's seriously mind-blowing.

Let's move on to the four new titles with first of all "Dysrationalia" the introductory track, the keyboards first, the guitar then, the almost possessed singing of Gabriele MARCONCINI, very energetic reaching 3:16 (remarkable use of keyboards by Emiliano GALLI ), a melodic imprint which remains to be determined, hard rocking scents at times (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW see DEF LEPPARD), it pulses strongly in the speakers (8/10), a listen far from obvious which therefore generates a judgment complex that we find ourselves humming after several listens. Then "Planning The Renaissance" too ''gloubi boulga'' for my taste, I looked in vain for the musical score, that's all to say, I didn't like that Gabriele forced his voice there (which was otherwise excellent) , not at all progressive at all, disappointment and even more (5/10).

The penultimate piece "Land of the Wait" digs the same streaks as the previous ones, more rock than progressive, progressive alterno as I indicated above, in my opinion the most pleasant of the four new tracks (9 /10), the hushed singing of Gabriele combined with the ramblings of the two soloists and above all an interesting lyrical framework, a musical line to explore further in the future. Let's end with the relatively short "Over" more than six minutes all the same, one of the most rock (n'roll) pieces on the record, the ZEPPELIN mode is engaged here too, easily broadcast on the radio (we start typing the sole says it all), certainly a good track to warm up an audience in a concert (8/10), not my favorite but easy to listen to.

Conclusion since the vocalist is common to both groups, you should not look in MERGING CLUSTER, RAVEN SAD because you will not find any, beyond the vocal intonations of GABRIELE MARCONCINI it goes without saying.

Merging Factor's first EP is self-titled, and for good reason. It merges two types of prog rather well: classic prog and psychedelic. With groovy twists, atmospheric vocals, airy keys, and raging guitars, the band gives us the best of the old and the new. Incredible guitar solos and deliciously bassy moments abound along with an overall sense that the band knows how to compose tight, meaningful passages. "Peak of Ephemeral Light" is a perfect example of all this. Yet, then the track "The Shadow Line" takes a different approach. Searing edges and a psychological factor make this track very different, but somehow also a natural progression: a kind of journey from light into darkness.

The EP does have one weakness. While the vocalist, Gabriele Marconcini, has a tasteful voice and he delivers a wonderful performance, I do feel that the vocal lines feel a bit squeezed into the music. Yes, the vocals and music are very tightly composed separately, but sometimes they feel a bit smashed together, or as if they don't mix well. Of course, the lyrics themselves are written with complexity and meaning, which is how I like them.

That being said, "Merging Cluster" is a strong debut for the band. I see big things for Merging Cluster as they bring groove and modernity to classic prog. There is an immediate "wow" factor to hearing their music, and I hope they can continue that with a full length release.