Band : DreamSteel

Album title : You

Label : My Kingdom Music

Distributor : Sonic Rendezvous

Release date : 07/04/2008

Release : CD

Italian Symphonic Power Metal band formed in 1999 by guitarist Daniele Mazzanti and former singer Alessandro Mazzini.

Following the usual line-up problems young bands go through, the act finally gets their stuff together in 2003 to record their full-length debut promo-CD Kiss Of A Shadow , released early the next year. By then, the quintet comprises lead singer Alessandro Antonelli , guitarist Mazzanti , keyboardist Marco Zichittella , bassist Diego Testa , and drummer Matteo Vellucci . Following an intense writing session, the band records their second outing Thinking About Infinity in July 2004, releasing the demo early 2006. At this point, the demo becomes the confirmation of the band's musical identity, said to "elivinening up a Power Metal with polychromatic structure that sweeps from Thrash " Pantera -esque" riffing to little parenthesis of classic music or Medieval..." (citation from the bio we got with our promo copy). Still, it's only in their next work that DreamSteel finds a more personal sound with a new Progressive melodic vein. In September 2006 the fivesome finishes their third demo The Flight Of A Butterfly at Fear Studios , and they immediately started an intense promotion campaign thanks to their new manager, forwarding the demo to several labels in Europe and the US. Eventually the band decided to start a strong collaboration with Francesco Palumbo of My Kingdom Music , not only for the official release of this album, but also for the live shows to follow.

So, the band re-entered Fear Studios in September and October of last to record the 10 songs they now present to you with their first official album. And at this point I feel it necessary to cite yet another part in the label's biography sheet: "With You , DreamSteel give voice to their inner emotions presenting an album that walks on the borders of differentt musical backgrounds. Now they represent one of the best new Italian acts thanks to an innovative mixture of Power Metal and Progressive music, also influenced by classical Heavy Metal, Gothic atmospheres and majestic Symphonic elements. If Dream Teater , Angra , Dark Tranquillity , Symphony X could be points of reference of their sound, be sure that in their music you will find many more facets that will carry you in a magic vortex of feelings. Listen to them to believe..."...and would you know, that last bit is quite within the realm of possibilities. For some obscure reason I was unable to find the band's Myspace page (myspace.com/dreamsteel), and their own website (dreamsteel.it) is currently undergoing re-construction, but just log onto the label's website mykingcommusic.net...then click open the "Media" section and scroll down to the DreamSteel spot, where you'll find mp3-files to the album opening song "The Flight Of A Butterfly" (preceeded on the album by the 66-second instrumental intro "Frantic ", it is also the album's closing track in a "Radio Edit" version, clipped of some 2 ½ minutes worth of musical content), the ensuing "You" (again, on the album preceeded by the 40-second instrumental "Behind..." , just like "Frantic" a wonderfully mysterious and somewhat futuristic short bit of soundtrack-ish display on behalf of the keyboardist with addition of samo sound samples, I'm sure), and "Lost" (with a calmer piano & orchestrated keyboard opening, this is the semi-ballad on the album). As you will be able to hear for yourself, lead singer Antonelli is nót soon to compete for an award in the "Best Italian Singer" category, but he has a warm nice voice that doés allow him to do some occasional, and successful, exercises in the higher regions, and together with the nice backings by some of his bandmates he indeed brings a nice vocal tapestry! And their music is something quite delectable to listen to as well.

In other words: it may take this band some time to work their way up from Italy into the hearts of the people that live North of their home country, but I'm sure that in Italy itself the quintet will soon belong among the favourites in the genre (always providing that they dó get a chance at playing enough gigs and festivals – where they could inflame broader audiences than the ones that would come out to specifically to witness the band play their specific brand of music at the smaller gigs). Right now, I'd say the act is certainly a hot tip for people into the genre.

90/100

Tony.