Teodasia: Upwards

Teodasia is a symphonic metal band from Venice, Italy, that began in 2006. The band's composer and drummer Francesco Gozzo helped organize the group which includes Priscilla Fiazza on vocals; Fabio Compagno, on guitars; and Nicola Falsone, on bass. Teodasia's first full album, 'Upwards', will be released in late 2011.

This is a fantastic debut for a new band. Solid as if they have been playing and preparing this album for years. The orchestration that the band uses to fill the sound chamber allows this debut to take on epic and majestic proportions. Unique and full of surprises, with Fiazza's voice capturing your attention early and never letting it go. One of the better heavy metal, female progressive, releases this year.

Track Listing:

The album opener, 'Intro – Spection', is one of the best tracks on the album. It's an instrumental track full of firepower from drums, guitars, keys, and bass. The choir – like vocal presence only adds to the majesty of the track. An excellent opening. Off to a fantastic start.

'Temptress' opens with piano – like keyboards, rushing electric guitars, bass and drums, before Fiazza's first vocals. Fiazza has a great voice and this track provides one of the most interesting vocal moments when she adds falsetto to her voice. The drums are powerful and the guitars are solid.

Beautiful keys open 'Revelations', before the solid drums open a rhythm. Fiazza joins in with some of her best vocals soon after. Fiazza, "I don't know how to explain. Your destination". The bass work is also exceptional. One of the most dramatic and best tracks on the album.

'Lost Worlds of Forgiveness' opens with eerie keys, heavy metal guitars and power drums. Fiazza is joined in a vocal duet with Rhapsody of Fire's lead vocalist Fabio Lione. Another strong track full of emotional vocals and instrumentation. The keyboard work is simply amazing. Additional violin and orchestration adds such dynamic intensity to the mix.

'Close Call' on the other hand is a softer song that opens with Fiazza's voice and soft keys. The acoustic guitar and strings help add even more warmth to the track, but it's Fiazza's voice that truly steals the show.

Fiazza's voice opens 'A Powerful Life', along with piano. Then the band takes off with bass, drums, and guitar, with the piano leading the group. Again, Fiazza's voice is so exact and clear that she steals the show along with the piano. The strings are back and continue to add warmth.

'Hollow Earth' opens with powerful keys, drums, and guitars before Fiazza joins in. This track sounds like Stream of Passion and some other bands from the genre. But the excellent strings and supporting orchestration help diversify the track enough later to give it a more original sound.

'Aurora' is another of the best tracks on the album. A return for Fiazza and that excellent piano work. The surrounding orchestration fits the song so well and embraces the warmth and emotion Fiazza delivers. The bass work and chimes add even more dimension to the production.

Heavy guitars and menacing bass open 'Pandora's Knight'. The keys, bass, guitars and drums raise high to provide a lifting roar of sound. Fiazza gets help from male growling and backing vocals on this track.

The beautiful piano is back for its best melody on the album in 'Eulogy'. The strings weave a magical web around the piano keys as this instrumental creates one of the best highlights on the album. The drums and guitars further take this track higher, along with Fiazza's vocal shouts and 'ahs'. The orchestration takes this one over the edge as one of the best tracks on the album.

'My Minotaur', the closer opens fast with keys, power guitar and bass along with heavy drums. The orchestration returns to rev the power and sound high again. A great way to close a fantastic debut.

Track Listing:

1. Intro – Spection
2. Temptress
3. Revelations
4. Lost Worlds of Forgiveness
5. Close Call
6. A Powerful Life
7. Hollow Earth
8. Aurora
9. Pandora's Knight
10. Eulogy
11. My Minotaur

Added: August 12th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Teodasia.com
Hits: 4040
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]