Artist: Last Warning
Title: Throughout Time
Type: Album
Label: My Kingdom Music
Italian Progressive Metal band Last Warning have been around since 1987, but as this is only their third full release, they can hardly be described as prolific. Their label quotes Dream Theater, Queensryche, Rush and Crimson Glory as the points of reference for their music, and I can see that.
“Throughout Time” is a more than just derivative of the above-mentioned bands. Unfortunately it’s only when we get to the sixth track “For a Lifetime” that it breaks through walls and delivers the potential which is apparent in the previous tracks. The dramatic opening to the first track “Madness” precedes some heavy and retro-sounding Euro Prog. It’s technical and has purpose. On the other hand the vocals are whiny and too high-pitched, furthermore the keyboards fail to add the weight that the guitars and drums provide. The next four tracks all share the merit of being solid without being spectacular. “Secret” has more punch than “Madness” and has good movement. “It Slowly Dries my Tears” could have got lost in a sea of kitsch but doesn’t. “Bloody Dream” has a good beat and has a drama which has been missing since the opening few seconds. The 9 minute track “Throughout Time” has some interesting twists and turns and flourishes after a jazzy beginning, and hints that something bigger is about to happen. Then “For a Lifetime” finally shows what Last Warning are capable of. Its quiet beginning develops into a rip-roaring song with an imperious rhythm. At last the singer works within his limits. He operates with real feeling and provides great support for the ever-transforming guitars and solid drums – what Progressive metal is all about. “For a Lifetime” had me captivated and humming along. “Only Silence” features a good chorus riff, while “Higher” is technical, the guitar work is solid as usual and a sense of drama is created. The last accredited track “In the Mood” changes tack with an emotional dual male-female vocal, the female vocalist having a touch of Cyndi Lauper about her. “In the Mood” seemed somewhat out of place and lacking in power compared to its predecessors. It’s a good, soulful track but it would have made more impression earlier between the more Progressive pieces, I think. The album ends with a bonus track “Cry Out”, a catchy piece of Power Metal.
Overall, “Throughout Time” is fine but did not have sufficient power or hang together enough to carry me in “a magic vortex of feelings”, as the label claimed it would. Its dramatic intensity arises from some impressive and solid instrumental work played in a heavy Progressive style, but whilst there were climactic moments, for the most part it did not reach the heights and did not have enough consistent impact to be a great album.
http://www.myspace.com/lastwarningit
http://www.mykingdommusic.net
Andrew Doherty
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