Maetrick: Espresso Della Vita: Lunare

Maetrick's Espresso Della Vita: Lunare is a greatly achieved continuation of their 2018 release Espresso Della Vita: Solare, weaving a complex narrative that showcases the band's unique blend of progressive metal, power metal, and theatrical elements. As a first-time listener to their music, I was struck by the band's ability to balance heavy, captivating riffs with epic, melodic passages, all while maintaining high levels of musicianship and impressive vocals. The band is composed of Renato Somera on bass and vocals, Fábio Valdeira on lead vocals, piano and synths, Guilherme Carvalho on guitars and vocals, and Heitor Matos on drums and percussion.

The album's coherence is one of its standout features, with the first three-quarters of the album flowing seamlessly from track to track. The band's influences from Dream Theater, Angra, Queen, and DragonForce are evident, but they've managed to distill these influences into a distinct sound that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

The song "The Root" is a highlight, showcasing the band's ability to craft intricate, complex compositions that are both heavy and melodic. Other standout tracks include "Upside Down", "Ghost Casino", and the final track "The Last Station (I Am Leaving)", which features a dramatic, operatic flair.

If there's a criticism to be made, it's that the album loses a bit of steam towards the final quarter, with some tracks feeling slightly less compelling than the others. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a strong album.

Overall, Espresso Della Vita: Lunare is a testament to Maetrick's skill and ambition as a band. With its conceptual themes, impressive musicianship, and epic soundscapes, this album is sure to delight fans of progressive metal and power metal. I'm excited to explore more of their discography, particularly the first part of this concept, and see where this story takes me…. Cheers!

Track Listing:
1. A Very Weird Beginning (0:36)
2. Upside Down (4:34)
3. Boo! (4:21)
4. Ghost Casino (3:58)
5. Mad Witches (9:01)
6. Sunflower Eyes (4:23)
7. The Root (12:01)
8. Dance of Hadassah (6:20)
9. Agbara (5:15)
10. Lunar Vortex (5:08)
11. Ethereal (4:48)
12. The Last Station (I a.m. Leaving) (17:59

Added: May 28th 2025
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 175
Language: english

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