After 'The Sorceress Reveals - Atlantis' in 2016, the Italians of 'Souls Of Diotima' continue with their last album 'Janas' to tell us stories from Mediterranean mythology with narratives about Janas, magical creatures from the island of Sardinia. We find their original and diversified style fusing melodic, symphonic and progressive metal which makes Italians a special formation in the metal musical landscape and this new baby still brings its share of good surprises but is certainly more direct than its predecessor was thanks to melodic lines that are tamed at first listen.
This variety is illustrated from the first three tracks : first of all, 'The Black Metal' opens the ball in an epic and powerful atmosphere with a first catchy melody with oriental sounds and imposing choirs, then, 'Sleep Demon' takes over with much more modern tones, a catchy rhythm, a heavy chorus with marked bass close to techno and a remarkable guitar solo by 'Fabio Puddu', and finally, 'The Princess Of Navarra' is a power very classic ballad but so effective with this memorable section of the guitar solo followed by majestic male choirs preparing a finale with deep bass. With the title song, the power and symphonic mix highlights remarkable vocal sections whether with the growls of 'ntonio Doro' responding to 'Claudia Barsi' or the choirs accompanying a heady melody, then, 'The Dark Lady' puts back a layer with a new melodic jewel which can recall certain tones of 'Delain' and which could make some envious in the best symphonic metal formations. The second part of the album does not weaken and offers us 'Ichnos Superhero', the perfect melodic and catchy title to end a concert in style, the powerful 'My Roots' with its remarkable rhythmic changes which make it a typical example of this talent that Italians have to appropriate several types of metal, then, without transition, 'Maty' which takes us on a powerful slow tempo with sumptuous choirs and melodic lines borrowed from Mediterranean culture, a new melodic hit ' Mediterranean Lane 'catchy with Antonio Doro's bass' leading the dance and finally, last but not least, 'Sherden', which beautifully ends the album with admirable choirs, the guitar solo with a magic feeling and a refrain that never leaves us.
In summary, this latest album from the Italians of 'Souls Of Diotima' is a total success with compositions all as remarkable as each other and if you like a powerful and melodic metal with hymns that are encrusted immediately in your head, it's a safe bet that you will play 'Janas' repeatedly in your favorite playlist... | |
