ETERNAL IDOL (also known as Fabio Lione's ETERNAL IDOL) is a Symphonic Power Metal band from Vincenza, Veneto, Italy. ''Behind a Vision'', is their first album in five years and first to showcase new singer Gabriel Gozzi replacing the aforementioned Fabio Lione (formerly of RHAPSODY, ANGRA and several other top acts in the genre). It's no easy task to replace Fabio Lione, a true giant in the Power Metal Galaxy. Even though I was never a fan of his pronunciation, he is one of the very best Power Metal singers ever, so that's some pretty big shoes to fill.

And yes, before you ask, ETERNAL IDOL took their name from the very underrated BLACK SABBATH (with Tony Martin at the helm) album of the same name. It's also the first album to feature Letizia Merlo as the lead female vocals. Any good Symphonic Metal band that I have heard have had those dual vocalists so I am really happy they display this way of doing things and the chemistry is definitely there!

There is obviously the comparisons with bands like EPICA, NIGHTWISH and VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, but their is something particular about ETERNAL IDOL. The ever-present orchestrations and guitar work by Nick Savio definitely brings them back to another level, reminiscent of what AMARANTHE and BEAST IN BLACK are doing with the sampling and synthesizer as a backing effect to most of their sounds. It is something you can hear clearly on ''The Enemy is Me'', it felt like a style clash at the beginning but it's like EVERGREY became a Symphonic Metal Band, it's not something I have heard before in the genre and I was pleasantly surprised.

Gabriele Gozzi does remind me at times of Michele Guaitoli from VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, both incredible Italian Symphonic Power Metal singers so the comparison was natural. Michele does have this remarkable talent of emotion in his voice, he is the standard in the genre but Gozzi does a great job, wild variations of a wide array of vocal influences and he has that Power Metal booming voice yet retaining the strength and adaptability of being a Symphonic Power Metal band lead singer. The end result does not sound like a novelty act,  his voice is unique and he doesn't try to be someone whom he is not which is something rare these days.

The production at times is uneven at best. On the first single ''Empire of One'' when both of the singers sing at the same time, it felt like a uncomfortable cacophony of sounds muffled but it does seem to be one of the only instances of having some troubles with the mix because it feels more organic and seamless in the rest of the album. They are straight to the point, nothing goes over 5 minutes, it's pull no punches in your face Metal. It's something that is not akin to the Symphonic Metal genre, so that's quite the departure from the usual standards. I felt it was a great way to stand out from any band in the genre, transcending maybe the future of the genre?