MISTERY BOOK

I'm afraid this one is a little too cheesy for me. "Mistery Book" is a competent but somewhat juvenile hard rock album with the Dungeons and Dragons feel. The players are quite professional and it's good clean fun rock and roll but just not something that makes the shelf for me. I suppose I would describe their music as taking one of Ronnie James Dio's albums and having a lesser known band perform the material with a more pop style than metal. That might give you an idea of the sound, predictable drumming, rather cheesy keyboards sound, catchy singalong choruses, lots of power chords. The one bright spot for me was the guitarist who in the midst of music that doesn't interest me, was able to peel off some really nicely done leads.

I can't quite get myself to 3 stars on this one but give it a shot if you like pop-metal stuff with Tolkien-ish vibes. They give JRR a special thanks so he must have been an inspiration here. It may also have appeal to fans of more mainstream prog rock artists like Kansas, Journey, Styx, etc. Not sure about the spelling, the site says Mystery, my CD says Mistery.

If these guys were from Canada we know "top left corner" would be refering to hockey, but being from Italy it's got to be soccer right ? I reviewed the follow-up to this album some 4 1/2 years ago on here and it looks like they called it quits after that. Not a lot of difference between the two albums, both have an 80's vibe I think mostly because of the vocalists' style and deep voice.This is fairly straight forward music to be honest that can get a little heavy at times.

"Mystery Book" opens with an explosion then the music kicks in.Vocals after a minute. A guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Wonder Why" opens with acapella vocals then the music takes over. Harmonies come and go once in a while. I like the guitar after 3 minutes when the vocals stop. "The Long Run" has a good heavy sound before a minute.The tempo picks up as the vocals join in. It's okay. "Tears" opens with a gong then keyboards and guitar take over.Vocals and a full sound 1 1/2 minutes in. It turns instrumental and we get some guitar after 5 minutes.Vocals are back after 7 minutes. A calm a minute later. It picks back up after 9 minutes. "The Advice" opens with atmosphere as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. A calm after 4 minutes with reserved vocals then it kicks back in late to end it.

"Ten Years" has some great sounding guitar as it solos until before 3 minutes when the vocals come in. Guitar is back to the fore after 5 minutes then the vocals return again. "Lonely Hunter" opens with synths and piano as these laid back vocals come in. Drums and a fuller sound follows. "Time Has Gone" starts out with bass and synths as drums then guitar join in.Vocals a minute in. "The Tower" has this prominant beat with vocals.The guitar leads before 4 minutes. "Last Wave" is haunting with synths to start. Relaxed vocals before 1 1/2 minutes then it kicks in after 2 minutes.Water sounds end it.

Barely 3 stars but for the Prog fan there's not a lot to enjoy here.