Like label mates Marauder, Heart of Steel Records are promoting another power-prog metal band with this, the debut album by Italy’s Stamina. Opening with the swirling keyboards of a 1970’s space opera on ‘Tell the Truth’, before vocalist Georgio Adamo kicks in with a creditable impersonation of Tony Martin, with the addition of the slightest Italian accent. This is backed by a band showcasing a host of technical skills. The keyboard sound cuts between harpsichord, organ, and effects, whilst guitarist Luca Sellitto fires out break neck speed solos.
Second track, ‘Waiting for You’ opens with some freeform jazz noodling, a theme that reoccurs throughout the song with several instrumental breaks, before the traditional power metal riffs start up again, but backed up by an upbeat, bouncy drum sound, textured by keyboard stabs that had me thinking of nothing more then Spinal Tap; don’t take this as a criticism folks, just a simple description.
The whole album follows this style without throwing out any surprises or curveballs. Vocals are massive and operatic, the singer demonstrating in track after track clean precise vocals with an impressive rock sustain, whilst every instrument is played with a massive theatricality. The keyboard work harkens back to the seventies heyday of prog stylings with huge swirls and chasing progressions, whilst the guitarist takes every opportunity to show his technical ability and speed, racing alongside and around the keyboard sounds with an impressive show of fretwork. All this is powered from behind by drum licks that promise many a stick being twirled in the air.
Production work on the album is precise technical, the mix showcasing the theatrical pomp of the band to power through every note. This is an album for those who like their metal in huge, over the top, melodic doses.
http://www.staminaband.com
http://www.myspace.com/staminaband
