IMAGO MUNDI

Grand epic concept masterpiece with magestic melodies and scrumptious instrumentation. Without a moment of hesitation I would take this album to my grave as one of my all time favs. "Imago Mundi" was in my opinion ASGARD's absolute top musical peak (although all of their albums are genius in design). Majestic keyboards with punching guitar and bass surrounded by wonderful percussion and the great vocals of Kikko Grosso. ASGARD deliver one of the most original progressive rock sounds mixing small elements of classic old time GENESIS, MARILLION, DREAM THEATER and even RUSH. This wonderful fantasy like concept album musically traces the steps of a young dwarf as he trys to travel across the dangerous medieval world of "Imago Mundi". This is an essential piece of the '90's progressive rock story.

With "Imago Mundi", their fourth effort, Asgard cancelled the first era of their career. and what a way to say momentarily goodbye! To go on after the splendorous "Arkana" was indeed a titanic task, and Asgard managed to do it quite well due to the exciting combination of talent and conviction that takes place all throughout the repertoire. The conceptual unity of the album (a travel through the lands of myths and legends) actually helps to construe a coherent sequential link between all tracks. The overall result is both excellent and appealing, thanks to the infusion of a more pronounced hard rocking edge into their basic symphonic colorfulness incarnated in attractive melody lines, effective keyboard orchestrations, and cohesive interplaying: at times you can really tell that these guys have gotten immersed in the pompous, bombastic spirit of the best prog metal. Yet, this is not your regular prog metal offering: this is simply symphonic prog with a notably aggressive edge and a more evidently ballsy attitude in the guitar riffs and the interplay between the guitar and the rhythm section. Regarding the proficiency of all individual members, it's business as usual: the musicianship is outstanding (great guitar and synth solos, tight rhythm section), while Kikko Grosso's vocal deliveries feel conveniently involved with the evocative nature of the lyrics and the energetic drive of the guitar main riffs and keyboard massive layers. Having mentioned the prog metallic factor, it is no surprise that the opening and closing tracks ('Transmigration' and 'Egoism', respectively) are so explosive and incandescent. This incandescence even more featured in the sinister sequence 'Violence I'-'Violence II', and the breathtaking 'Disharmony'. Max Micchiletto's guitar shines like a white hot diamond, supported and complemented by Ambrosi's keyboard orchestrations and harmonic solos. But it is when the hard rocking factor gets more obviously subordinated to the band's penchant for symphonic structures that the material gets even more interesting: the catchy bombast of 'Justice', the captivating density of 'Virtue' and 'Imagination', and the melancholic, mysterious vibration of 'Nobility' stand out as some of the most notable pieces in Asgard's history. And what about the bucolic magic displayed in 'Serenity'? - words fail me as I think back of those effective chords played on two acoustic guitars, those moving lines sung on lead and backing vocals, and that divinely cheerful flute solo displayed in the coda. As a whole, "Imago Mundi" works perfectly as a well assembled musical picture in which every single element is fully integrated, while keeping their own particular appeal.

Well I'm not sure James and Cesar listened the same album I did. Actually , they did but they are probably a better public than I am for those grandiose concept/bogus album. I must say that after Arkana I was expecting them to move on but not in the direction they did with this one . I suppose that if you were/are still into this stuff this might be their apex , but to me the only summit reached here is the peak of pomposity. I was listening to Anglagard , Anekdoten and Landberk by the time I got an ear on this one, so it did not stand much of a chance either. OK , these guys probably worked their guts off for this project so i will award another 0.999999 star to it.

It's been over six years since a written review was done for this record. This is their fourth studio album released in 1993. Again there is a MARILLION flavour here but a fair amount of heaviness as well. I still feel that "Arkana" is their high water mark and I rated it a very low 4 stars. This one isn't as good in my opinion. It's a concept album by the way. I'm just using the first half of the album titles.

"Transmigration" is led by riffs until the vocals arrive after 1 1/2 minutes. Ripping guitar before 3 minutes. It sounds like mellotron coming and going along with those riffs. This is my favourite track. "Justice" kicks in quickly with vocals. This sounds like Power-Metal light. Not a fan. "Violence 1" is short but very good. This is slower but heavy but it does pick up some. "Violence 2" is uptempo and again in the light Power-Metal style. "Virtue" puts the focus on the vocals for the most part, although there are some good instrumental sections. "Fortitiude" sounds like part 2 of the previous song. "Serenity" is an upbeat listen with vocals. Flute late ending with children's laughter.

"Disharmony" kicks in hard after a minute with vocals. "Courage" is one i'm not a fan of at all with those fast paced vocals and backing vocals helping out. "Imagination" is heavy as vocals join in. It turns lighter a minute in. Contrasts continue. "Vulgarity" kicks in quickly with vocals. An uptempo track that settles 1 1/2 minutes in but not for long. "Nobility" features what sounds like strings and reserved vocals. A tasteful guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. "Egoism" has a good heavy intro. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in in an uptempo but not so heavy soundscape. Later it seems like each member gets a chance to solo. Good stuff.

A good album that just doesn't do a lot for me overall.

Forth album of this discret neo prog band from Italy with moderate succes in the '90s, issued at same WMMS and named Imago Mundi - 1993. Well this is a little known album that desearve a far more attention then it has today, is a concept album well played , performed and composed. Not a weak moments here, I like a lot this kind of neo prog, up tempo with very nice keyboards parts, guitar and all is more then great. I also lik the voice of Kikko Grosso, he has that goth special tone, deep and very elastic in manner of singing. So, as I said before I'm in minority here because I find this one better then Akana in any way. Pieces like opening track Transmigration - On A Blow Of Immense with bombastic chorus, the excellent duel between guitar and keyboards on Courage - Land Of The Dark Wood, the folky with nice flute on Serenity - Land Of The Green Flowers, the rest are also strong. So what to complain here I don't know, I like what I've hered here a lot, this kind of albums I can listen every time with pleasure never get boring. Imago Mundi is one of the unfairly little know album from neo prog field from early '90s. 4 stars easy and to me their best work for sure.