Their album 'Viridian' had been a pleasant surprise in early 2020 and the Italians of 'Temperance' took less than two years to repeat with a new album which was released in November 2021, bringing their discography to 5 studio recordings in 8 years and, then, shows the generous production of the transalpine, especially as 2021 also saw the release of the EP 'Melodies of Green and Blue' in which they revisited some of their tracks acoustically.
On the menu of this abundant opus of 65 minutes (55 in fact if we remove the 4 versions in different language of the hit album 'Diamanti'), there are 12 tracks led drumming in a symphonic power metal with melodic lines always as memorable. And to welcome us, 'Pure Life Unfolds' (see video above) deploys considerable firepower and delivers a heady first chorus, then 'Breaking the Rules of Heavy Metal' continues the momentum with another powerful and fast-paced blast in which our vocal trio have a field day. Diamanti' follows (see the video here), modulating the ardour and showing all the talent of melodists of the Italians with an addictive chorus sung in their language and in the great tradition of Italian song which gives an irresistible desire to go along with the lyrics (that's good because now in spotify, the lyrics are present on some tracks including this one). We continue with a quick 'Black Is My Heart' which is still very effective and then, with the next two tracks, the style is very close to 'Nightwish' as 'Litany of the Northern Lights' and 'You Only Live Once' have a power and drive reminiscent of the Finns, the first one even having that Celtic feel with the accompaniment of bagpipe sounds. The second part of the album is just like the first, with energetic compositions with melodic lines that are always very catchy: we can mention 'Codebreaker', which brings a touch of modernity with electronic sounds, or 'Let's Get Started', which moves away from symphonic metal for a moment to send us a good, unleashed rock, or the last track, 'Follow Me', which has a sustained rhythm but also benefits from a few moments of respite. In alternation, other compositions bring an airing to the whole with 'I the Loneliness', alternating tempos in a more measured metal or 'The Night Before the End' which shows a more marked symphonic face with some choirs and a new memorable chorus, without forgetting the power ballad 'Fairy Tales for the Stars', certainly classic, but of a formidable effectiveness.
In summary, it is without surprise that the Italians of 'Temperance' gratify us with an admirable album that continues on the momentum of the previous opuses with this perfect mixture between a catchy and intense power metal, a good dose of symphonic arrangements and a vocal trio always in perfect harmony; the twelve hits of 'Diamanti' will undoubtedly turn in loop at all the lovers of symphonic metal and will certainly be able to touch a wider metal audience... | |
