Progressive Metal was born by the hands of RUSH in the 70s (although they present many Progressive Rock elements in their works, the trio stayed with both feet rooted in Hard Rock and Rock ‘n’ Roll during all its career), but evolved a lot in the 80s due the contributions of acts as FATES WARNING and QUEENSRŸCHE (it’s not s sin to say that albums as “The Warning”, “Rage for Order” and “Awaken the Guardian” set the foundations for the future Progressive Metal acts). Their legacy is still influencing many new acts, as can be heard on “Alien Nation”, the latest album of the Italian quartet IVORY. Being born in such way and with the load of experience of their previous releases (3 albums and an EP), this time the band brings some refreshment to its music: it stays away from technical/eclectically forms of modern Progressive Metal, staying into Metal.

Of course the technical refinement, the elegant approach and all are features of the album, but their greatest value is to deliver songs that are catching, with excellent melodies and a clear influence inherited from Hard Rock (it’s not a sin to say that). It’s like one can hear a mix between influences of VAN HALEN, FATES WARNING, QUEENSRŸCHE and other, but with personality an on an Italian Metal way to be. It’s something that brings the insights of the past, but with a new refinement and energy. And it’s truly very good. The band shows on the sonority of “Alien Nation” a refined and elegant approach on their music, bringing things to a clear point where everything can be clearly understood. But as well, the levels of distortion and aggressiveness are what they must be for the right level of weight. It’s very good, indeed,

The sound likes an update of the 80s Progressive Metal acts (again: with personality), and it’s a different experience for those who are fans of the genre. Pay attention to “On the Edge of Sanity” (a fine mix between Progressive Metal and 80s Metal influences, with a very good chorus and fine vocals), “The Mask” (a heavier song with abrasive distorted guitar riffs, but with fine Progressive ambiences and tons of weight coming from bass guitar and drums), “Liquid World Crunch” (where Hard Rock touches are clearly heard, with some guitars showing elements in a ‘van halean’ way), “Feeding My Soul” (a song where refinement and elegance take over and charming parts of bass guitar can be heard), “Odd Rails” (an instrumental moment with clear touches of RUSH in some moments), “Walking Straight” (excellent contrasts between ethereal Progressive parts with Heavy Metal energetic moments), and “Alien Nation”, and you’ll understand why this album is so good to be heard.

Maybe one can say that “Alien Nation” is an album free of conceptions and compromises, and it’s the reason it sounds so catchy and different from the masturbation of some Prog Metal acts. Congratulations, IVORY!