Italy is a Metal country' that rarely disappoints. New Bergamo Power Metal band, LIONSOUL, released their debut full-length last December; a meaty, ambitious concept album, aptly titled "Omega". It is a fine example of a very particular vein of Power Metal I have come to know and love; fast, technical and grandiose, that also balances subtle ethnic touches with progressive elements and balladry passages.

"Heavenly Ride" is a force to be reckoned with; anticipation built up by a sweeping intro track, and is as pure as true power metal can get. The rhythm section is blazingly fast; the guitar licks are wailing and technical, and the vocals are planetary in range. In fact, the vocals are one of the things I like the most about this band. Upon scrutinizing Ivan's voice, sure enough I hear some Edu Falaschi, and Timo Kotipelto; but what sets him apart from many power metal singers is the fact that, like these two, his voice is instantly recognizable, unique and not lost amongst a sea of cliché sound. Earlier I mentioned ethnic touches; "Tiger of Gaugamela" is a track that instantly stands out as one of these. It's dominating motif is the sound of a sitar (Gaugamela being a battleground in India during the conquest of Alexander the Great; I did mention this was a concept album!); in terms of riffs, it balances passive, ballad-like passages that carry an air of mystery, and powerful, soaring choruses.

"Rage of the Waters" became one of my favorites on this record, because, like "Tiger of Gaugamela" it brings out a sound different to the majority of the album. In contrast, it is a mid-tempo track with a driving, heavy rhythm section, backed up by truly invigorating, atmospheric keyboards' work. I would also like to point out the stellar lead guitar work; a large section of the song is a trade-off guitar solo that balances heart-ripping lead wails and razor shreds. All in all, I feel like this was one of the greatest examples of song- and lyric-writing found on the record. Finally, it would be inept of me to not at least touch on the final track; the 10+ minute monster "Omega", titled for perhaps that very reason. It certainly comes with the versatility in riffs, vocal and melody patterns that one could expect in such a lengthy piece; of particular interest are the eastern-sounding melodic progressions, and the transitions between ICED EARTH-like gallops and speed-metal riffs that balance explosive velocity with heaviness.

Italy, like Brazil, is clearly becoming a Metal powerhouse to rival that of Scandinavia and the US; if they are not already at that level, with bands like LIONSOUL.