ELDRITCH is a Progressive/Power Metal band based in Italy. They formed in 1991, and have been very prolific in writing music…”Innervoid” is their 13^th full-length album, and it has ten songs. The title track is short introduction to the album. “Handful of Sand (Right or Wrong)” is the first proper song. Strong musicianship will greet the listener from the first few notes, which are rich and strong, and the production is very clear. I hate to stereotype, but many Italian bands that I have heard in this style over the years are fantastic musicians, and ELDRITCH is no exception to that. Highlights of that include the vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist, but pay note to the bassist and drummer as well. They are like a well-oiled machine.

“Born on Cold Ash” begins with a flurry of activity…sparkling lead guitars and keys over a bed of a heavy riff and a thick, rich sound. “Elegy of Lust” has a melody of crescendo within the guitar work and an emotional vocal delivery. The listener can feel the laments easily, and that keyboard solo is on fire. “Wings of Emptiness” has a darker sound at first with vocal harmonies, followed by a big, punchy chorus. The emotional qualities of their music really come through strong in this song. “From the Scars” has a groove to it…the kind that gets your foot tapping along or your head banging, whichever you prefer. It also has some slick hooks and Alex delivers another strong vocal performance.

“Lost Days of Winter” has a heavier sound, but the band never loses sight of the melodies. Listen as well to the bass work of Dario. He thumps away with dexterous abilities and his work provides a great supporting role to the music. “Black Bedlam” has a smooth, emotional sound and the way that the band builds the melody is very linear, making it more pleasing to the listener, and that scream before the guitar solo could shatter glass. “Forgotten Disciple” closes the album, with a return to aggression. The guitar work is fantastic in this song, as are the keyboards. The band just puts on a memorable display of musicianship that can’t be denied. Overall, this was an excellent album that showed both the band’s high level of musicianship and their great ability to write memorable hooks. The best part was the level of balance they maintained of the two.