Simply astonishing, the best word to describe Adagio's new album. It's a bit hard to believe that new bands like this one are capable of providing such great and inspired music, in a genre wich unfortunately is onerbundant by groups/caricatures of the rubrical names, like Shadow Gallery, Symphony X etc. So I'm really excited that Underworld seems a promising release and not yet just another part of the pile.
Adagio are French and their mainman (guitarist Stephan Forte) seems really able to lead them into worldwide success and recognizability. The infuences here are glaring (Symphony X, Malmsteen etc) but it would be unavailing to accuse them of copying the aforementioned bands, as the songs gush from wonderfull ideas and the talent is undoubtable. Another plus in this album is the blistering appearance of the piano, wich creates a magical and at the same time dramatic atmosphere, capable enough to nail down the listener until the album is complete. The compositions are quite lengthy but that won't be a problem because they are solid-structured and don't contain acts of exhibitionism.
Their first album, Sanctus Ignis, released in 2001, passed noteless but I'm definetely sure that their time to reign has come. I can't remember hearing any other albums this year wich enthralled me like this one and to tell you the truth, I doubt if any other upcoming, matching release will overcome it. I bow down before you gentlemen...