Introitus: Anima

Who would have thought, another progressive rock band from Sweden. Introitus formed in 2005 and released their debut Fantasy in 2007. The recently released Anima is their third album. The band's line-up includes Mats Bender (keyboards), Anna Jobs Bender (lead vocals), Henrik Björlind (flute, keyboards), Pär Helje (lead guitars), Mattias Bender (drums, vocals) and Dennis Lindkvist (bass). Guest Johanna Bender provides vocals. This certainly is a family affair with four family members in the band.

If you dig symphonic progressive rock Introitus deliver the goods. The music is keyboard heavy with plenty of synth solos, keyboard flourishes and orchestral swells. However, the guitar is also given room to shine with soaring solos and heavier riffage scattered throughout. Anna Bender's vocals are also a main ingredient and she has a melodic voice, often with a breezy delicateness that suits the softer sections well. At times she could use a bit more power but that is just a minor quibble.

The album begins and ends with a couple of short instrumentals "Initiare" and "Exire" respectively. Wind effects, tolling church bells and swells of keys highlight the former while the latter is mellower with starkly delicate piano laid over the same gentle breeze . In between we have the powerful "Broken Glass" where the synths and guitar really shine and the epic title track showcasing the band's musical chops as the music flows from lighter to heavier sections with ease. I love the vocal arrangement near song's end. Another highlight is "Free", an amalgamation of electronic, heavy symph and folk elements.

Introitus is another classy band on Progress Records' burgeoning roster of artists. Very well crafted melodic symphonic prog in the tradition of bands like Kaipa and IQ and comes highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Initiare (1:56)
2. Broken Glass (10:28)
3. Who Goes There (7:12)
4. Slipping Away (11:16)
5. You Will Always Be My Girl (6:30)
6. Free (7:50)
7. Anima (16:28)
8. Exire (1:32)
9. Hidden Bonus Track (2:58)

Added: October 11th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 3317
Language: english

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