'Leviathan' is an Italian group which was created in the 80s with a period of activity until the beginning of the 2000s with three albums and then, nothing more, until today with the resumption of 6 first tracks from their first album 'Heartquake' dating from 1988. We are therefore plunged back into this period which saw many groups blossom like 'IQ', 'Marillion', 'Pendragon' or even 'Big Big Train'. All of these compositions have a strong connotation of 70s progressive with obvious influences from 'Genesis' with beautiful alternations between sung sections (magnificently by 'Alex Brunori') and admirable instrumental sections.
We are welcomed by the lively 'The Waterproof Grave' featuring luminous keyboards which can only bring to mind 'Genesis' and in certain sections, Alex Brunori's singing is closer to that of ' Phil Collins', then, 'Hellishade of Hevenue' is almost 9 minutes long and takes us into a more relaxed atmosphere with a calm piano/vocal introduction which continues at a slow tempo magnified by delicious guitar harpeggios and a moving vocal performance from Alex Brunori', the melancholic guitar solo of 'Fabio Serra' at 3.20 being a pure delight: another very beautiful title that the British of 'Genesis' would not have denied. Follows 'Only Visiting This Planet' which begins with a little tune of 'Buggles' and which continues with multiple rhythmic changes which take us on a journey into rich and inventive progressive while keeping this hook throughout the whole title thanks to very beautiful melodic lines, and, for my part, I am still with 'Genesis', 'Duke' period, thanks to the luminous singing of Alex Brunori'. We continue our progressive journey with 'Up We Go!' which, after the light and bouncy introduction, shows a more energetic side with a marked rhythm which takes us through sung sections in which 'Alex Brunori' offers us a muscular and very expressive interpretation and other instrumental parts bathed in keyboards flamboyant and generous, the break in the middle of the title bringing a beautiful diversity to this title. After all this energy, 'Dream of the cocoon' takes us into a magnificent ballad filled with a beautiful elegance which delicately rocks you while listening to the beautiful melody as the Italians know how to compose so well. And to finish this very beautiful album, the title song is a beautiful summary of the whole and takes us once again into imaginative progressive in which we let ourselves be taken by the hand and travel through an imposing musical labyrinth with many nooks and crannies which require several listenings to fully master them.
In summary, the Italians of 'Leviathan' were right to bring up to date these very beautiful compositions which, for all those over 50 who were raised on the bottle of progressive rock from the 70s/80s , must revive certain memories of this golden era and which, for my part, reminds me throughout this album of the atmospheres of 'Genesis'. I also hope that there will be a sequel to this beautiful album and that this time we will be able to listen to new original compositions of this quality... | |
