From The EPK: IMAGO IMPERII is an established Heavy Metal band from Bologna, Italy, founded in 2011. Active since 2012, the group initially distinguished itself with a powerful Epic/Symphonic Metal sound heavily influenced by the nuances of the Nineties and Eighties, releasing four official albums and one EP. Returning to the studio to record their full-length album, "Century", the group is definitively abandoning symphonic metal in favour of a more direct, powerful heavy metal sound. The new album boasts a significantly higher production quality compared to previous releases.

Well, I must admit that I haven't heard anything before this "Century" album, which does boast simple Heavy Metal with Classical Metal guitar solos. The sound of the album is definitely good, so if the ones before this one didn't sound as good, but were full of Epic/Symphonic Metal it doesn't surprise me that I never heard of IMAGO IMPERII before now, as that is the kind of music for which a brilliant sound is imperative in able to stand out. But then again, it always helps if the sound is able to get you noticed. What I have noticed is that the band is not afraid to still use a little bit of the old influences in their background sounds.

The songs on "Century" all have that familiarity hanging over them as a shroud. You have the feeling that you are listening to what another band has done, only translated into the IMAGO IMPERII language. And Luke, the guitarist, he has been listening to YNGWIE MALMSTEEN quite a lot, I would think, as the solos remind me of the Swedish speed master on guitar. I don't mind that I still think of other bands, but I do object when what is done is just not reaching me. It just flies by and as soon as the album is finished, I've forgotten about it. The fact that none of the tracks are able to stick, to keep running around in my brain, is not a good sign for an album.

Even though the songs really aren't all that band, that is exactly what "Century" encompasses for me; an album to pass the time, to be used as background noise. No one will take offence to it being played, as it fills a space, but I also doubt anyone will remember anything about it afterwards. I wish my thoughts on what IMAGO IMPERII have brought us would be different, but alas, that is not to be.